Princeton's WordNet

1. defy, withstand, hold, hold up(verb)

   resist or confront with resistance

   "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"

2. defy, resist, refuse(verb)

   elude, especially in a baffling way

   "This behavior defies explanation"

3. defy, dare(verb)

   challenge

   "I dare you!"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

1. defy(verb)ɪˈfaɪ; n. also ˈdi faɪ

   deliberately disobey

   countries that have defied international treaties

2. defyɪˈfaɪ; n. also ˈdi faɪ

   to behave in opposition to natural laws

   to defy the law of gravity

3. defyɪˈfaɪ; n. also ˈdi faɪ

   to be very difficult to explain, describe, etc.

Wiktionary

1. defy(Verb)

   To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.

2. defy(Verb)

   To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt.

   to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.

Origin: From desfier, from *, from dis- + fidus. Meaning shifted 14c. from "be disloyal" to "challenge."

Webster Dictionary

1. Defy(verb)

   to renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce

2. Defy(verb)

   to provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion

3. Defy(noun)

   a challenge

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• يَتَحَدّىArabic
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