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# defiant

adjective (defiant, more defiant, most defiant)

«defiant» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Defiant means openly refusing to obey or to do what you are told: "a defiant child folded his arms". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defiant/#m1)
2. Defiant can also mean bravely standing up to something stronger: "a defiant shout against the storm". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defiant/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories, a defiant look, tone or shout shows a character refusing to give in; it can be naughty or brave depending on who they stand up to. In school, defiant behaviour means refusing teachers' instructions. Phrases: defiant look, defiant mood, defiant to the end.

### Examples

- The defiant boy refused to tidy his room. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defiant/#x1)
- She gave the bully a defiant stare. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defiant/#x2)
- "I won't!" she said in a defiant voice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defiant/#x3)
- The defiant soldiers would not surrender. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defiant/#x4)
- The cat looked defiant as it knocked the cup off the table. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defiant/#x5)
- Despite losing, the team stayed defiant to the end. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defiant/#x6)

### Note

Pronounced "di-FY-ant". Verb: defy; noun: defiance; adverb: defiantly. Spelling: ends in -ant. Being defiant to a bully can be brave; being defiant to safety rules is dangerous.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «defiant» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defiant/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«defiant» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/defiant.html) on Mova free.