[noun] [U]The demonstration is a pointless act/gesture of defiance against (= refusal to obey) the government.In defiance of the cease-fire, rebel troops are again firing on the capital.The machine seemed to be working in defiance of (= against) every known law of physics.
DEFIANCE
Meaning of DEFIANCE in English
Cambridge English vocab. Кембриджский английский словарь. 2012