defy

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de résister ouvertement ou de refuser d'obéir à quelqu'un ou à quelque chose, ou de défier quelqu'un en le mettant au défi de faire quelque chose considéré comme impossible.

A verb used to indicate the act of openly resisting or refusing to obey someone or something, or challenging someone to do something considered impossible.

1. B2formal

   To openly resist or refuse to obey someone or something, especially authority.

   défier, braver

   • The protesters defied the government's orders to disperse.
   • He defied his parents' wishes and pursued a career in art.
   • The soldier was punished for defying a direct command.

   Synonymeschallengecontravenedisobeyfloutopposeresisttransgressviolatewithstand

   Antonymescomplyconformfollowheedobeyrespectsubmityield

2. Challenge or dareB2formal

   To challenge someone to do something considered impossible or difficult.

   Défier, provoquer

   • She defied him to prove his theory.
   • The explorer defied the harsh conditions to reach the summit.
   • I defy anyone to solve this puzzle in under a minute.

   Synonymeschallengedare

3. Elude or be impossibleC1formal

   To be impossible to achieve, understand, or explain.

   défier toute explication

   • The beauty of the sunset defies description.
   • His actions defy all logic.
   • The complexity of the problem defies simple solutions.

   Synonymesbaffleeludeescaperesistwithstand