adjective
defiant
dih-FYE-uhnt/dɪˈfaɪənt/
Openly refusing to obey or submit to authority.
The defiant teenager folds her arms as the adult points toward the chore.
Etymology
Turning away from faith or allegiance developed into challenging or provoking someone. The participial ending describes someone acting in that challenging way, giving defiant its sense of bold resistance.
In context
this unheard-of defiance of authority. They broke from their seats on either side and huddled half-scared, half-fascinated, in a large half-circle round the defiant captive
More examples
- She gives the officer a defiant look and stays seated.
- Despite the ban, protesters remain defiant and gather outside city hall.
- His defiant refusal to follow orders angers the commander.
Forms
defiant
defiance noun — Open refusal to obey or submit.
defiantly adverb — In an openly resistant or disobedient manner.
Similar words
- disobedient
- Describes failure to obey, without necessarily showing open resistance.
- rebellious
- Suggests broader resistance to control, rules, or accepted expectations.
- insubordinate
- Specifically describes refusal to obey someone with higher rank.