Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
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- [verb dih-fahy; noun dih-fahy, dee-fahy]
- /verb dɪˈfaɪ; noun dɪˈfaɪ, ˈdi faɪ/
- /dɪˈfaɪ/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [verb dih-fahy; noun dih-fahy, dee-fahy]
- /verb dɪˈfaɪ; noun dɪˈfaɪ, ˈdi faɪ/
Definitions of defy word
- verb defy If you defy someone or something that is trying to make you behave in a particular way, you refuse to obey them and behave in that way. 3
- verb defy If you defy someone to do something, you challenge them to do it when you think that they will be unable to do it or too frightened to do it. 3
- verb defy If something defies description or understanding, it is so strange, extreme, or surprising that it is almost impossible to understand or explain. 3
- verb defy to resist (a powerful person, authority, etc) openly and boldly 3
- verb defy to elude, esp in a baffling way 3
- verb defy to challenge or provoke (someone to do something judged to be impossible); dare 3
Information block about the term
Origin of defy
First appearance:
before 1250 One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English defien < Old French desfier, equivalent to des- dis-1 + fier to trust < Vulgar Latin *fīdāre, variant of Latin fīdere
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Defy
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
defy popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 88% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
defy usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for defy
verb defy
- resist — to withstand, strive against, or oppose: to resist infection; to resist temptation.
- spurn — to reject with disdain; scorn.
- thwart — to oppose successfully; prevent from accomplishing a purpose.
- violate — to break, infringe, or transgress (a law, rule, agreement, promise, instructions, etc.).
- withstand — to stand or hold out against; resist or oppose, especially successfully: to withstand rust; to withstand the invaders; to withstand temptation.
noun defy
- recalcitrance — resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory.
- grabber — a person or thing that grabs.
- defiance — Defiance is behaviour or an attitude which shows that you are not willing to obey someone.
- intractability — not easily controlled or directed; not docile or manageable; stubborn; obstinate: an intractable disposition.
- wildness — living in a state of nature; not tamed or domesticated: a wild animal; wild geese.
Antonyms for defy
verb defy
- aid — Aid is money, equipment, or services that are provided for people, countries, or organizations who need them but cannot provide them for themselves.
- assist — If you assist someone, you help them to do a job or task by doing part of the work for them.
- praise — the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.
- respect — a particular, detail, or point (usually preceded by in): to differ in some respect.
- note — a brief record of something written down to assist the memory or for future reference.
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