defy
defy is defined in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913) with 2 senses, and appears in Roget's Thesaurus (1911) with 40 related terms. The full text of each entry is reproduced verbatim below.
Definitions
- 1.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.
- 2.A challenge. [Obs.] Dryden.
Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
Synonyms
Related terms (Roget's 1911)
- abuse
- abusive
- ahead
- akimbo
- arms
- ban
- bark
- beard
- beat
- bid
- big
- bluster
- bold
- brave
- bully
- call
- cartel
- challenge
- chest
- clinch
- come
- commination
- comminatory
- courage
- cry
- curse
- dance
- dare
- daring
- day
- defiance
- defiant
- denunciation
- disobey
- double
- down
- even
- fight
- fist
- fling
Source: Roget's Thesaurus, 1911 edition (public domain, via Project Gutenberg eBook #10681).
Related questions
Sources
- Definitions: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
- Synonyms & antonyms: Roget's Thesaurus, 1911 edition (public domain, via Project Gutenberg eBook #10681).
- Canonical URL: https://worddirectanswers.com/word/defy
- Steward: Jason Burns