noun

defiance

dih-FY-uns/dɪˈfaɪəns/

Open resistance to authority or demands.

The workers show their defiance by refusing to follow the order.

Black woman stands firm with crossed arms facing ordering hand at workplace doorway, open resistance.

Etymology

deLatinaway

+fiLatinfaithful

+anceOld Frenchaction or state

The underlying image is turning away from faith or allegiance. Through the sense of challenging someone to combat, defiance came to mean openly resisting authority or treating opposition with contempt.

In context

Jesus' Word (Apologetics)27:04

we have this group that suddenly defies the authority of God now standing in defiance of Moses

Carter Conlon - Unholy Boldness

More examples

She keeps the store open in defiance of the court order.
His public refusal is an act of defiance.
The coach responds firmly to the player's open defiance.

Forms

defy verb — To openly resist authority or demands.

defiant adjective — Openly resistant to authority or demands.

Similar words

disobedience: Failure to obey, without necessarily showing open resistance.
resistance: Broader opposition to pressure, change, or control, not necessarily authority.
insubordination: Disobedience specifically toward a superior, especially at work.