de‧fi‧ance/dɪˈfaɪəns/ noun[UNCOUNTABLE] behaviour that shows you refuse to do what someone tells you to do, especially because you do not respect them ⇨ defy act/gesture of defiance ▪ Running away was an act of defiance against his parents. in defiance (of something) ▪ Many people were drinking in the streets, in flagrant defiance of the ban. ▪ Her fists clenched in defiance.
noun COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a gesture of defiance (=something done to show that you will not do what someone tells you to do) ▪ The rebels launched an attack as a gesture of defiance. an act of defiance (=when you refuse to obey or respect someone) ▪ As an act of defiance Leigh dropped out of high school a month before graduation. EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES ▪ a look of hatred and defiance EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ He is fighting for a second term and claims the support of other key nations in defiance of the Clinton administration. ▪ I had gone against their wishes in a public expression of defiance. ▪ Lee saw Anthea's eyes glittering blackly in the dancing candlelight, her chin drawn up in defiance or outrage. ▪ Now that Luke no longer wanted her, he wouldn't care about anything she did, so no action of hers constituted defiance. ▪ Over time, the AK-47 rose above its use as a weapon to become a symbol of defiance and liberation. ▪ She tries to work up a kind of defiance, an attitude. ▪ That act of defiance warmed her even now, just thinking of it.
de‧fi‧ance/dɪˈfaɪəns/ noun [UNCOUNTABLE]