tr.v., -fied, -fy·ing, -fies.
- To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it.
- To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: defied the court order by leaving the country.
- To be unaffected by; resist or withstand: "So the plague defied all medicines" (Daniel Defoe).
- To challenge or dare (someone) to do something: She defied her accusers to prove their charges.
[Middle English defien, from Old French desfier, from Vulgar Latin *disfīdāre : Latin dis-, dis- + Latin fīdus, faithful.]
SYNONYMS defy, brave, challenge, dare, face. These verbs mean to confront boldly and courageously: an innovator defying tradition; braving all criticism; challenged the opposition to produce proof; daring him to deny the statement; faced her accusers.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.