Word: defy

Associations

"Defy" means to challenge or resist something, often in a bold or confident way. You can think of "defy" as standing up against something that may be seen as powerful or difficult.

• Example 1: "She decided to defy the rules of the competition."
  • This means she chose to go against the established rules, showing bravery.
• Example 2: "He defied expectations by finishing the marathon."
  • Here, he went beyond what people thought he could do, proving them wrong.
• Example 3: "They defied their parents by staying out late."
  • In this case, they resisted their parents' wishes, showing independence.

Important distinction: A synonym for "defy" is "resist." However, "resist" usually implies not giving in to an influence, while "defy" often includes an element of boldness or confrontation.

Substitution

Some alternative words that can replace "defy" in certain contexts include:

• "Challenge": This implies questioning or disputing something, but without the same level of boldness.
• "Oppose": This implies standing against something, often in a more formal or organized way.
• "Flout": This means to openly disregard rules or laws, similar to "defy," but with a more dismissive attitude.

Deconstruction

The word "defy" comes from the Latin root "fides," meaning faith or trust. The prefix "de-" suggests a reversal or negation, so "defy" can be understood as turning away from trust in something, or not accepting it.

Inquiry

• Have you ever defied someone or something? What was the situation?
• Do you think it is sometimes necessary to defy rules or expectations? Why or why not?
• Can you think of a time when defying something led to a positive outcome? What happened?