defy
defy Lexical Profile
defy Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To openly resist, disobey, or refuse to submit to an authority, law, or convention.
"The activist chose to defy the unjust curfew by remaining in the public square."
To prove impossible to do, explain, or describe; to elude or resist successfully (especially of a quality, phenomenon, or problem).
"The sheer scale and beauty of the canyon defy description."
To challenge someone to do something considered impossible or improbable.
"I defy anyone to watch that comedy performance without laughing out loud."
Word Nuance & Usage
Wait before confusing "defy" with "deify" (pronounced DEE-uh-fye), which means to worship or treat someone as a god.
• Rhymes for defy
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French desfier, meaning to renounce one's feudal allegiance or faith, from Vulgar Latin disfidare (from dis- "away" and fidus "faithful").
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.