Defy
To openly challenge or refuse to obey; to resist, confront, or dare against someone or something.
verbDefy
To openly challenge or refuse to obey; to resist, confront, or dare against someone or something.
verbImagine This
A crazy fly is challenging Mother Nature by demonstrating that gravity has no effect on him. Thus it takes off without using its wings. Other flies nearby are exclaiming, 'How daring that the fly is defying Mother Nature!'
Sounds Like
dih-FY
Looks Like
Looks like the word 'defy' itself; four letters with the familiar 'fy' ending.
Remember This
Defy is often paired with rules, expectations, gravity, or authority. The related noun is defiance.
Other Forms
Connect With
Defiance, resistance, challenge, disobey, defy the odds
Note
Defy means to resist or refuse to obey; do not confuse with 'deny' (to say something is untrue) or 'defect' (to abandon a cause). It takes an object (defy the odds, defy authority).