MEANING
In a way that openly resists authority, pressure, or a challenge.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- stand defiantly
- answer defiantly
On the page
She stood defiantly in the doorway, refusing to move.
Word forms
- Base
- defiantly
Usage notes
Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: Invariable adverb. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: character, description. Commonness: moderately common.
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