Dictionary.com

Popular Searches

 Thesaurus.com

defiantly

American  
[dih-fahy-uhnt-lee] / dɪˈfaɪ ənt li /

adverb

  1. with daring or bold resistance to authority.

    In a fearless display, protesters chanted defiantly at police: "Come and shoot us with your tear gas!"

Other Word Forms

  • half-defiantly adverb
  • nondefiantly adverb
  • overdefiantly adverb
  • quasi-defiantly adverb
  • undefiantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of defiantly

defiant ( def. ) + -ly

Compare meaning

How does defiantly compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I have the jump programmed and ready to go,” said Professor McMillan, his eyes flashing defiantly.

From Literature

Major Puff thrust out his chest defiantly and proceeded to march down the hillock toward his enemy.

From Literature

Katherine put her hands on her hips and stared defiantly at Jonah.

From Literature

"But we still generate electricity," he added defiantly, praising the thousands of workers repairing the plants.

From Barron's

They gaped at him, and he stared back defiantly.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.