defiance
/dɪˈfaɪ(j)əns/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.48 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
Open or bold resistance to or disregard for authority, opposition, or power; refusing to give up.
Countable; Uncountable
name
A small city in Shelby County, Iowa, United States.
name
An unincorporated community in Perry County, Kentucky, United States.
name
An unincorporated community in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States.
name
A former community in Worth County, Missouri.
name
A city, the county seat of Defiance County, Ohio, United States. Named after Fort Defiance.
Example Sentences
- "But Sophia's mother was not the woman to brook defiance. After a few moments' vain remonstrance her husband complied. His manner and appearance were suggestive of a satiated sea-lion."
- "Ambassador Udina: The other species are scared. They've never faced anything like this before and they don't know what to do. They want us to step forward. They believe in humanity because of you. Ambassador Udina: Your ruthless pursuit of Saren and the geth, your defiance of the Council -- that's what humans are capable of! That's how we can defeat the Reapers!"
- "Ainsley: Amid the death and all the destruction: a story of heroism. Steve: Thirteen Ukrainian border guards defending a small island in the Black Sea defy an invading Russian warship. Will: Todd Piro is here now with the details on the defiance that cost them, ultimately, their lives- Todd. Todd: That's right Steve, Ainsley and Will- the ultimate act of defiance- the ultimate price paid. Ukrainian border guards defending a Black Sea island defiantly telling an invading Russian warship to 'go F yourself' when asked to surrender, and then killed when that warship opened fire."
Etymology
From Middle English defiaunce, from Old French desfiance, from desfier. By surface analysis, defy + -ance.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *bʰeydʰ-, defiaunce, desfiance
Regional Pronunciation
- British English: /dɪˈfaɪ(j)əns/