defiant
gb/dɪfˈaɪənt/ us/dɪfˈaɪənt/
B2
Anglais
~ 9300
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B2
property
1
openly resistant to authority
not doing what a person in power, a rule, or an order tells you to do, in a strong and open way
Schéma d’usage :
to be defiant toward [someone/something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse "defiant" with the adjective "definite" because they look similar, but "definite" means "clear" or "certain," not "refusing to obey." Another common mistake is using "defiant" as a verb (e.g. *"He defiant the rules"*); the correct verb is "defy" ("He defied the rules") and the adjective is "defiant" ("He was defiant").
Synonymes
rebellious (Often suggests a more general or long-term refusal to accept control, especially by young people.)
|
disobedient (Focuses on not doing what you are told, especially about rules; less about bold attitude.)
|
insubordinate (More formal and often used for employees or soldiers who refuse to follow orders.)
Antonymes
obedient (Describes someone who does what they are told and follows rules.)
|
compliant (Stresses being willing to agree with rules or requests without resisting.)
Collocations
defiant attitude
|defiant child
|defiant tone
|defiant stare
|defiant gesture
|stand defiant
Thèmes
conflict
|social
|emotions
|law
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The teenager gave his parents a defiant stare and refused to apologize.
- Despite repeated warnings, a small but defiant group continued to block the road.
- She crossed her arms in a defiant posture when the teacher told her to sit down.
- The protesters remained defiant in the face of new government restrictions.
- His defiant refusal to follow the dress code got him sent home from school.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The boy was defiant and would not do his homework.
- She gave the police officer a defiant look and did not move.
- A few defiant students kept talking after the teacher asked for quiet.
- The workers were defiant and said they would not sign the new rules.
- He stood there, defiant, and said, "I won’t follow that order."
adjective
C1
property
2
boldly resistant in hardship
showing strong, brave refusal to give up or feel weak when things are hard or when people attack you
Schéma d’usage :
to be defiant in the face of [difficulty/threat]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may think "defiant" is always negative, but in this meaning it can be positive, showing brave strength against problems. It is often used with phrases like "in the face of" ("defiant in the face of criticism") or with positive nouns like "defiant hope" or "defiant spirit."
Synonymes
unbowed (Suggests not being weakened or made less proud by pressure or suffering; often more literary.)
|
resolute (Emphasizes firm decision and determination rather than open resistance.)
Antonymes
submissive (Suggests accepting control or pressure without resisting, especially in hard situations.)
|
defeated (Describes someone who has given up or feels beaten by problems or opponents.)
Collocations
defiant smile
|defiant spirit
|defiant optimism
|defiant stand
|defiant gesture
|defiant in the face of [something]
Thèmes
emotions
|conflict
|personal_growth
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- She met the bad news with a defiant smile, refusing to show fear.
- Even after the diagnosis, his messages remained defiant and full of hope.
- The artist’s defiant stance against online abuse inspired many of her followers.
- The village kept a defiant spirit despite years of conflict.
- His defiant optimism in the face of criticism surprised his colleagues.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She gave a defiant smile when people said she would fail.
- The team stayed defiant, even after losing the first three games.
- He was defiant in the face of danger and did not run away.
- Their defiant spirit helped them continue during the hard winter.
- Her defiant attitude showed that she would not let the problem stop her.
Grammaire
Expressions
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