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1. Dictionary

   De·fy

   /dəˈfī/

   

   verb

   • 1. openly resist or refuse to obey: "a woman who defies convention" Similar resistwithstandtake a stand againsthold out againststand up toconfrontfacemeet head-ontake onsquare up tobeardbraveoutfaceOpposite surrender
   • ▪ (of a thing) make (an action or quality) almost impossible: "his actions defy belief" Similar eludeescapedefeatfoilfrustratethwartbaffle
   • ▪ appear to be challenging (someone) to do or prove something: "he glowered at her, defying her to mock him" Similar challengedarethrow down the gauntlet
   • ▪ challenge to combat: "go now, defy him to the combat"

   Word Origin Middle English (in the senses ‘renounce an allegiance’ and ‘challenge to combat’): from Old French desfier, based on Latin dis- (expressing reversal) + fidus ‘faithful’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. defier noun

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • F

     4

   • Y

     4

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2. www.dictionary.com › browse › defyDEFY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › defy

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   Defy definition: to challenge the power of; resist boldly or openly. See examples of DEFY used in a sentence.

3. www.wordreference.com › definition › defydefy - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

   www.wordreference.com › definition › defy

   • Cached

   resist boldly or openly: to defy parental authority. to offer effective resistance to: a fort that defies attack. to challenge (a person) to do something deemed impossible: They defied him to dive off the bridge.

4. en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › defydefy - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › defy

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   Apr 23, 2024 · To not conform to or follow a pattern, set of rules or expectations. ( transitive, obsolete) To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. Derived terms [ edit] death-defying. Related terms [ edit] defiance. defiant. Translations [ edit] ± to challenge (someone)

5. www.oed.com › dictionary › defy_v1defy, v.¹ meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › defy_v1

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   What does the verb defy mean? There are ten meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb defy , five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryDEFY DEFINITION definition in American English | Collins ...

   www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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   See by definition. See full entry for 'definition' Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. Definition of 'defy' defy. (dɪfaɪ ) verb. 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. [...] See full entry for 'defy'

7. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defyingDefying Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defying

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   1. : to confront with assured power of resistance : disregard. defy public opinion. in trouble for defying a court order. 2. : to resist attempts at : withstand. the paintings defy classification. a decision that defies all logic. 3. : to challenge to do something considered impossible : dare. defied us to name a better movie. 4.

8. www.wordsmyth.netdefy | Dictionaries and vocabulary tools for English language ...

   www.wordsmyth.net

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   Definition of defy. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.