defy

/di'fai/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To openly resist or refuse to obey: To challenge the authority or power of someone or something; to act against a command, rule, or expectation.
    • To be so extreme or unusual as to make (something) seem impossible or incomprehensible: To elude explanation or description because of being particularly baffling, difficult, or extreme.
    • To challenge someone to do something: To dare someone to prove or do something.
Examples of Usage
  • Verb:
    • The protesters chose to defy the government's curfew order. (They openly refused to obey it.)
    • The magician's final trick seemed to defy the laws of physics. (It was so baffling it appeared impossible.)
    • "I defy you to prove your accusation," he said calmly. (He challenged the other person to provide proof.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to defy belief/description/logic": To be so extreme, shocking, or illogical that it is hard to believe, describe, or understand.

    • The scale of the destruction defies description. (It is too vast to be adequately described.)
    • His reckless actions defy all logic. (They are completely unreasonable.)

  • "to defy the odds": To succeed or survive despite being very unlikely to do so.

    • The small startup defied the odds and became a market leader. (It succeeded against all expectations.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Defiance (n): Open resistance; bold disobedience.
    • Her act of defiance inspired others.
  • Defiant (adj): Showing defiance; boldly resistant.
    • He had a defiant look in his eyes.
Synonyms
  • Resist: To withstand the action or effect of.
  • Challenge: To dispute or call into question; to invite someone to compete.
  • Withstand: To remain undamaged or unaffected by.
  • Flout: To openly disregard (a rule, law, or convention).
Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Defy" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically contained within the single verb.)

Related Idioms
  • "To defy death": To survive a situation that is almost certain to cause death.
    • The climbers defied death on the treacherous mountain face.
  • "To defy gravity": To appear weightless or to stay aloft, as if ignoring the force of gravity. Often used literally (e.g., in acrobatics) or figuratively.
    • The dancer's leap seemed to defy gravity.
Verb
  1. challenge
    • I dare you!
  2. elude, especially in a baffling way
    • This behavior defies explanation
  3. resist or confront with resistance
    • The politician defied public opinion
    • The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
    • The bridge held

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