defiance
open refusal to obey rules
Behavior that shows you clearly refuse to follow a rule, order, or person in power.
defiance of [rule/authority]
- The protest was an act of open defiance against the new law.
- Her refusal to sit down was clear defiance of the teacher's order.
- The workers' strike showed open defiance of company policy.
- Burning the flag in public was seen as a powerful act of defiance.
- They continued to publish the article in defiance of the court ruling.
- The students showed defiance when they walked out of class.
- His defiance of the rules made the coach angry.
- She spoke in defiance of her parents' warning.
- The march was an act of defiance against the government.
- They met in defiance of the city curfew.
proud, challenging attitude toward authority
A strong, proud feeling or way of acting that shows you will not follow or accept what someone wants.
a look of defiance on [someone]'s face
- He met their threats with calm defiance.
- There was a look of defiance in her eyes as she faced the crowd.
- Teenage defiance can put a lot of stress on parents.
- She folded her arms in silent defiance and said nothing.
- His crooked smile was full of defiance, not fear.
- The child stared at his father in defiance.
- There was clear defiance on her face.
- He spoke with quiet defiance.
- I could hear her defiance in her voice.
- Teenage defiance is difficult for many parents.
- Base: defiance
- Plural: defiance
act of defiance
1single openly resistant action
A specific action that clearly shows someone refuses to obey or accept authority.
- The letter was a small but important act of defiance.
- Tearing up the fine in front of the officer was an act of defiance.
- Painting the slogan on the wall was her first act of defiance.
gesture of defiance
1small action showing resistance
A small, often symbolic action that shows someone refuses to accept or obey something.
- Raising their fists was a clear gesture of defiance.
- Refusing to stand was his quiet gesture of defiance.
- Leaving her hair uncovered was a simple gesture of defiance.
in defiance of
1openly not obeying something
Used to say that someone does something even when a rule, law, or person says they must not do it.
- They continued the meeting in defiance of the official ban.
- The company released the report in defiance of the court order.
- She walked out of the room in defiance of her manager.
out of defiance
1because of a desire to resist
Because someone wants to show they will not obey or accept what others want.
- He dyed his hair bright green out of defiance.
- She stayed out late purely out of defiance, not for fun.
- They voted against the plan out of defiance, not because they disliked it.
stand in defiance of
1remain while openly resisting
To stay firm in your position or beliefs while clearly refusing to obey a law, order, or person.
- The community continues to stand in defiance of the new regulations.
- The monument stands in defiance of those who tried to erase their culture.
- They chose to stand in defiance of the court's decision.