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Meaning & use

defying

verb·Advanced

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UK/dɪˈfaɪɪŋ/
US/dɪˈfaɪɪŋ/

“defying” is a form of “defy”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meaning

  1. verbtransitive

    Openly refusing to obey a person, rule, or authority; also, being impossible to explain or believe.

    Grammar: Takes an object: defy the ban, defy gravity. The -ing form 'defying' is used after be, stand, or a preposition.

    Patterns

    • defy someone
    • defy something
    • be defying something

    The students are defying the new dress code by wearing jeans.

    She stood defying her father's wishes and moved abroad.

    The magician's trick seemed to be defying the laws of physics.

Word forms

third person singulardefies
past tensedefied
past participledefied
-ing formdefying

Common combinations

defy authority
The rebels chose to defy authority and face the consequences.
defy expectations
The low-budget film defied expectations and became a hit.
defy gravity
The acrobat seemed to defy gravity as she balanced on one hand.
defy description
The sunset was so beautiful it defied description.

Synonyms and how they differ

disobey
Disobey is more neutral and common for breaking rules; defy is stronger and suggests open, proud resistance.
resist
Resist means to fight against something; defy often means to refuse to obey in a visible way.
challenge
Challenge can mean to question whether something is right; defy means to refuse to follow it.

Opposites

obeycomply

Word family

defiance noun
The act of openly refusing to obey.
defiant adjective
Showing open refusal to obey.
defiantly adverb
In a way that shows open refusal.

Commonly confused: defying or denying? defying or deifying?

defying vs denying

Denying means saying something is not true; defying means refusing to obey.

defying vs deifying

Deifying means treating someone like a god; defying means resisting authority.

Practice

Choose the correct word: The protestors were ____ the curfew by staying out late.

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