DEFY (defied)
Dictionary entry overview: What does defy mean?
• DEFY (verb)
The verb DEFY has 3 senses:
1. resist or confront with resistance
2. elude, especially in a baffling way
3. challenge
Familiarity information: DEFY used as a verb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• DEFY (verb)
Meaning:
Resist or confront with resistance
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
defy; withstand; hold up; hold
Context examples:
The politician defied public opinion / The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear / The bridge held
Hypernyms (to "defy" is one way to...):
hold out; resist; stand firm; withstand (stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "defy"):
brave; brave out; endure; weather (face or endure with courage)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Elude, especially in a baffling way
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
resist; defy; refuse
Context example:
This behavior defies explanation
Hypernyms (to "defy" is one way to...):
elude; escape (be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "defy"):
beggar (be beyond the resources of)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Antonym:
lend oneself (be applicable to; as to an analysis)
Meaning:
Challenge
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
dare; defy
Context example:
I dare you!
Hypernyms (to "defy" is one way to...):
challenge (issue a challenge to)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "defy"):
brazen (face with defiance or impudence)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE
Sentence example:
They defy him to write the letter
