defiantly

adverb

de·fi·ant·ly di-ˈfī-ənt-lē

dē-

: in a defiant manner : in a way that is full of or shows a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight

She spoke out defiantly against the proposed law.

As his empire crumbled amid the … scandal, he defiantly refused a graceful exit.—Jonathan Alter

Though restrained, the women do not lack independence, and they wag their tongues as defiantly as ever.—Jason Farago

Examples of defiantly in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded defiantly, saying Trump has an affinity for autocrats. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Controversy was never very far from Barr, who has been open about her own mental health issues and defiantly outspoken about her politics, which have grown increasingly right-wing and conspiratorial. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 There are no emotions in it, only our own cold and cruel fears reflected back at us, as with a shot of Cruise standing defiantly in front of a mirror rimmed by antlers. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 Yet all paid hefty prices for defiantly speaking out for the rights of Black Americans. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defiantly

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of defiantly was in 1847

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defiant

defiantly

defiber

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Style

“Defiantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defiantly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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defiantly

adverb

Examples of defiantly in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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