Defiance
City in Ohio
Defiance is bold resistance or open challenge to authority, opposition, or difficulty.
Someone who acts in defiance of rules or expectations deliberately disregards them.
The word carries a tone of courage or stubbornness depending on context: She stared back in defiance, The town rebuilt in defiance of the hurricane warnings.
Defiance suggests not just disobedience but a refusal to be cowed.
Capacity to withstand force
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- insurgencyArmed uprising against authority
disobedience · insurrection · dissent · protest · revolution · insubordination · sedition · rebellion
Refusal to yield
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
- audacityBrazen, reckless daring
- courageFortitude facing danger
- braveryBoldness before danger
willfulness · obstinacy · grit · backbone · nerve · tenacity · spirit · resolve
Test of ability
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- provocationAct that triggers response
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
face-off · dare · ultimatum · showdown · brinkmanship · taunt · gauntlet · refusal
Failure to follow requirements
- violationBreaking of rules
- breachBreaking of agreement
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- civil disobediencePeaceful refusal to obey
protest · boycott · strike · sit-in · walkout · hunger strike · conscientious objector · draft resistance
resistance
Capacity to withstand force
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
insurgency · disobedience · insurrection · dissent · protest · revolution · insubordination · sedition · rebellion · coup
stubbornness
Refusal to yield
bravery · willfulness · obstinacy · grit · backbone · nerve · tenacity · spirit · resolve · determination
challenge
Test of ability
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- provocationAct that triggers response
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
standoff · face-off · dare · ultimatum · showdown · brinkmanship · taunt · gauntlet · refusal · rejection
noncompliance
Failure to follow requirements
civil disobedience · protest · boycott · strike · sit-in · walkout · hunger strike · conscientious objector · draft resistance · sanctuary
- OhioRock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cincinnati, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Akron, Columbus
- Syfy ShowsBattlestar Galactica, Eureka, Farscape, Alphas, Being Human
- Maumee River TownsWaterville, Grand Rapids, Fort Wayne, Toledo, Antwerp
- Northwest OhioToledo, Sylvania, Bowling Green, Findlay, Fremont
- St. Charles CountySt. Peters, Augusta, St. Paul
- Thrash MetalMetallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Exodus, Sodom
Defianceobedience
Compliance with authority
compliance · submission · conformity · acquiescence · capitulation
Defiancedeference
Yielding to another's judgment
respect · reverence · meekness · subservience · docility
Defiancecapitulation
Complete yielding to demands
submissiveness · cowardice · timidity · backing down · caving in