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noun Uncommon

defiance

dih-FEYE-uhns
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Defiance (noun) means Open, bold resistance to authority or opposition. Example: “The protesters marched in open defiance of the curfew.”

noun
1
Open, bold resistance to authority or opposition.
"The protesters marched in open defiance of the curfew."
"Her defiance in the face of criticism impressed her colleagues."

How to use defiance

Learner’s notes
Common pairings
in defiance of act of defiance open defiance
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Word forms

Plural
defiances
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Fill the gap

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The protesters marched in open _____ of the curfew.

Etymology

From Old French desfiance, from desfier, ultimately built on the same root as "defy."

Origin: Old French

Related words

Rhymes for defiance

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Frequently asked questions

What does “defiance” mean?
The word “defiance” means open, bold resistance to authority or opposition.
How do you pronounce “defiance”?
“Defiance” is pronounced dih-FEYE-uhns (/dɪˈfaɪ(j)əns/ in IPA).
How do you use “defiance” in a sentence?
Here is “defiance” used in a sentence: “The protesters marched in open defiance of the curfew.”
What part of speech is “defiance”?
“Defiance” is a noun.
Where does the word “defiance” come from?
The word “defiance” comes from Old French. From Old French desfiance, from desfier, ultimately built on the same root as "defy.".
Is “defiance” a common word?
“Defiance” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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