Definition of Defy in English :

Define Defy in English

Defy meaning in English

Meaning of Defy in English

Pronunciation of Defy in English

Defy pronunciation in English

Pronounce Defy in English

Defy

see synonyms of defy

Verb

1. defy, hold, hold up, withstand

resist or confront with resistance

Example Sentences:
'The politician defied public opinion'
'The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear'
'The bridge held'

2. defy, refuse, resist

elude, especially in a baffling way

Example Sentences:
'This behavior defies explanation'

3. dare, defy

challenge

Example Sentences:
'I dare you!'

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.


Defy

see synonyms of defy
verb -fies, -fying or -fied (transitive)
1. 
to resist (a powerful person, authority, etc) openly and boldly
2. 
to elude, esp in a baffling way
his actions defy explanation
3. formal
to challenge or provoke (someone to do something judged to be impossible); dare
I defy you to climb that cliff
4. archaic
to invite to do battle or combat

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers


Defy

see synonyms of defy
verb transitiveWord forms: deˈfied or deˈfying
1. 
to resist or oppose boldly or openly
2. 
to resist completely in a baffling way
the puzzle defied solution
3. 
to dare (someone) to do or prove something
4.  Archaic
to challenge (someone) to fight
nounWord forms: plural ˈdefies
5. 
a defiance or challenge

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.


Defy

see synonyms of defy
tr.v. de·fied, de·fy·ing, de·fies
1.
a. To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it.
b. To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: defied the court order by leaving the country.
2. To be beyond the application or scope of; be contrary or resistant to: an act that defies explanation; a problem that defies any conventional approach.
3. To challenge or dare (someone) to do something: She defied her accusers to prove their charges.

The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.