What does DEFY mean?
Definitions for DEFY
dɪˈfaɪ; ˈdi faɪde·fy
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word DEFY.
Princeton's WordNet
defy, withstand, hold, hold upverb
resist or confront with resistance
"The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"
defy, resist, refuseverb
elude, especially in a baffling way
"This behavior defies explanation"
defy, dareverb
challenge
"I dare you!"
Wiktionary
defyverb
To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.
defyverb
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.
Etymology: From desfier, from *, from dis- + fidus. Meaning shifted 14c. from "be disloyal" to "challenge."
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Defynoun
A challenge; an invitation to fight.
Etymology: from the verb.
At this the challenger, with fierce defy,
His trumpet sounds; the challeng’d makes reply:
With clangour rings the field, resounds the vaulted sky. Dryd.To DEFYverb
Etymology: deffier, Fr. from de fide decedere, or some like phrase, to fall from allegiance to rebellion, contempt, or insult.
I once again
Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight. John Milton, Agonistes.Where seek retreat, now innocence is fled!
Safe in that guard, I durst even hell defy;
Without it, tremble now, when heav’n is nigh. Dryden.Agis, the Lycian, stepping forth with pride,
To single fight the boldest foe defy’d. John Dryden, Æn.I do know
As many fools that stand in better place,
Garnish’d like him, that for a tricksy word
Defy the matter. William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice.
Wikipedia
Defy
To defy means to challenge or combat.
ChatGPT
defy
To defy means to openly resist, refuse to obey, or challenge something or someone, typically an established authority, convention, or rule. It can also signify going against the odds or expectations.
Webster Dictionary
Defyverb
to renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce
Defyverb
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
Defynoun
a challenge
Etymology: [F. dfier, OF. deffier, desfier, LL. disfidare to disown faith or fidelity, to dissolve the bond of allegiance, as between the vassal and his lord; hence, to challenge, defy; fr. L. dis- + fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Diffident, Affiance.]
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Defy
de-fī′, v.t. to challenge: to brave: (obs.) to discard, dislike:—pr.p. defy′ing; pa.p. defied′.—n. (Dryden) a defiance.—n. Defī′er. [O. Fr. defier—Low L. diffidāre, to renounce faith or allegiance—L. dis, asunder, and fīdĕre, to trust—fĭdes, faith.]
Suggested Resources
DEFY
What does DEFY stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the DEFY acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.
Matched Categories
Anagrams for DEFY »
yfed
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of DEFY in Chaldean Numerology is: 9
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of DEFY in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4
Examples of DEFY in a Sentence
The House has acted to de-fund the department and to stop the president’s overreach when it comes to immigration and his executive orders, ... And the Congress just can’t sit by and let the president defy the Constitution and defy his own his oath of office.
It's the most exciting press conference I have been at, I think. Cannes isn't known for its revelatory press conferences but that felt like a weird cinematic event in itself, what remains fascinating about Godard and his work, is that is he is the only director in competition so far, possibly the only one in the entire festival, whose films defy being chewed over in the course of a tweet or a thread of tweets.
Once the case is fully litigated, we are sure that Oklahoma City Public Schools and other schools across the state will comply with the ruling — rather than lawlessly defy both the legislature and the courts.
I know that someday my works will be praised by the critics, revered by the skeptics, respected by the cynics, continue to be researched by the academics, and loved by all those who know truth throughout the world. it will defy description and pose a dire challenge to historical analysis. the truths I deliver stands on its own. I created reggae and told the world about- the technotyrannical society.
Initially, it is possible they may not have much to say, events like this sometimes defy language, and a teen may struggle to discuss. However, remain open for these emerging adults. They need to know that they matter and that the world's complexity is in dire need of their taking the time to think about and understand what it means to be global citizens.
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References
Translations for DEFY
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- تحدىArabic
- игнорирам, пренебрегвам, предизвиквамBulgarian
- vzdát se, vyzývat, vzdorovat, zřeknout se, vyzvat, vzepřít seCzech
- herausfordernGerman
- renunciar, desafiarSpanish
- سرپیچی, سر باز زدن, نافرمانیPersian
- haastaa, uhmataFinnish
- défierFrench
- abiurare, sfidareItalian
- له قسهدهرچوون, بهربهکانی کردن, بهربهرهکانێ کردن, عاسی بوونKurdish
- whakatumatumaMāori
- afzweren, uitdagen, het hoofd biedenDutch
- sfidaRomanian
- пренебрегать, бросать вызов, попиратьRussian
- кинути викликUkrainian
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