Thesaurus: defy

Related headwords

Definitions

1. v. t. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.
2. v. t. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.
3. n. A challenge.
4. v. resist or confront with resistance
5. v. elude, especially in a baffling way
6. v. challenge
7. 1. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. [Obs.] I defy the surety and the bond. Chaucer. For thee I have defied my constant mistress. Beau. & Fl. 2. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion. I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight. Milton. I defy the enemies of our constitution to show the contrary. Burke. A challenge. [Obs.] Dryden.
8. A challenge. [Obs.] Dryden.
9. v:100 v. resist or confront with resistance v. elude, especially in a baffling way v. challenge