Defiant Meaning
/dɪˈfaɪ(j)ənt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjDefying.
adjBoldly resisting opposition.
Sentence Examples
The defiant manner is characteristic of teenagers.
It is his defiant attitude that made the chief angry.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ protester held the sign high despite the pouring rain.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ manner is characteristic of teenagers.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from French défiant, from the verb défier. Doublet of diffident. By surface analysis, def(i) + -ant.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"She paused and took a defiant breath. ‘If you don't believe me, I can't help it. But I'm not a liar.’ ¶ ‘No,’ said Luke, grinning at her. ‘You're not dull enough![…]What about the kid's clothes? I don't suppose they were anything to write home about, but didn't you keep anything? A bootee or a bit of embroidery or anything at all?’"
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 15, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"But the demonstrators remained defiant, pouring into the streets by the thousands and venting their anger over political corruption, the high cost of living and huge public spending for the World Cup and the Olympics."
— 2013 June 18, Simon Romero, “Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders”, in The New York Times, retrieved 21 Jun 2013:
"Gunshots rang out in the capital Abuja and also in the neighboring Niger state as police lobbed tear gas to disperse defiant protesters. In Niger, at least six people are now feared dead, local media reported."
— 2024 August 1, Nimi Princewill and Stephanie Busari, “Violence erupts as Nigerians protest hunger across the nation”, in CNN:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ protester held the sign high despite the pouring rain.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ manner is characteristic of teenagers.