defied
B2Formal, literary, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
Openly refused to obey or resist something, typically an authority, law, or convention.
To challenge or withstand in a bold or successful manner; to prove to be insurmountable or resistant.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Defied" implies an act of deliberate and often public resistance or refusal. It often carries a nuance of successful resistance or a surprising ability to withstand. It is the simple past and past participle form of the verb "defy."
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. The verb is used similarly across both variants.
Connotations
In both varieties, it conveys a strong, sometimes confrontational, act of resistance.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] defied [Object (authority/person/law)][Subject] defied [Object (description/logic/expectations)][Subject] defied [Object] to do something (less common)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “defied the odds”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new start-up defied market predictions and achieved profitability in its first year.
Academic
The experimental results defied all theoretical models, prompting a reevaluation of the hypothesis.
Everyday
She defied her parents' wishes and took a gap year to travel.
Technical
The material's properties defied conventional classification, exhibiting both metallic and ceramic behaviours.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The protesters defied the police curfew and remained in the square.
- His recovery defied all medical expectations.
American English
- She defied the court order and spoke to the press.
- The team defied the odds and won the championship.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child defied his mother and ate the sweets.
- He defied the rule about running in the hall.
- She defied her parents and moved to another city.
- The small boat defied the storm and reached the harbour safely.
- The journalist defied government censorship and published the report.
- The athlete's performance defied all expectations for someone of his age.
- The ancient structure has defied the elements for centuries.
- Her actions defied simplistic moral categorisation, embodying both courage and recklessness.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DE-FY-er (a person who says 'fie!' to authority). 'Defied' is what they did in the past.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A PHYSICAL BARRIER (to defy is to break through or stand firm against this barrier).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с "бросить вызов" (challenge) в спортивном смысле. "Defied" сильнее и предполагает неповиновение. Прямой перевод "отказался подчиниться" точнее передаёт смысл.
Common Mistakes
- Using "defied" without a direct object (incorrect: He simply defied. Correct: He defied the order).
- Confusing tense: using 'defy' for past events.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best captures the meaning of 'defied' in 'the facts defied explanation'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a regular verb. The past simple and past participle are formed by adding '-ed' to the base 'defy'. Note the spelling change: 'defy' -> 'defied' (y changes to i).
Yes, though less common. It can describe something that successfully resists natural forces or expectations without human agency, e.g., 'The old tree defied the hurricane.'
They are often confused by learners. 'Defied' means to openly resist or refuse to obey. 'Denied' means to state that something is not true, or to refuse to grant something.
It is more common in written English, particularly in news, literature, and academic texts. In everyday spoken English, simpler synonyms like 'disobeyed', 'went against', or 'ignored' are often used.