Last Updated：2025/11/20

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(transitive) To challenge (someone) or brave (a hazard or opposition). / (transitive) To refuse to obey. / To not conform to or follow a pattern, set of rules or expectations.

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defy

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Source Word

defy

IPA(Pronunciation)

/dɪˈfaɪ/

Verb

transitive obsolete

(transitive) To challenge (someone) or brave (a hazard or opposition). / (transitive) To refuse to obey. / To not conform to or follow a pattern, set of rules or expectations.

Japanese Meaning

（誰かに）挑戦する、または勇敢に立ち向かう / （命令や規則に）従わない、拒否する / 型や期待、基準に従わずに行動する

What is this buttons?

She decided to defy the company policy to protect her coworkers.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

彼女は同僚を守るために会社の方針に逆らうことを決めた。

Details

Sense（1）

(transitive) To challenge (someone) or brave (a hazard or opposition).

Details

Sense（2）

(transitive) To refuse to obey.

If you defy your teacher you may end up in detention.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（3）

To not conform to or follow a pattern, set of rules or expectations.

By tossing this nineteenth electron back and forth between its own orbit and that of its lost companion more than twenty-five thousand times a second, a mutilated stone atom is able partially to defy gravity and thus successfully to ride the emerging streams of light and energy, the sunbeams, to liberty and adventure.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation