DEFY


Meaning of DEFY in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ dɪfaɪ ]

( defies, defying, defied)

1.

If you defy someone or something that is trying to make you behave in a particular way, you refuse to obey them and behave in that way.

This was the first (and last) time that I dared to defy my mother...

VERB : V n

2.

If you defy someone to do something, you challenge them to do it when you think that they will be unable to do it or too frightened to do it.

I defy you to come up with one major accomplishment of the current Prime Minister...

= dare

VERB : V n to-inf

3.

If something defies description or understanding, it is so strange, extreme, or surprising that it is almost impossible to understand or explain.

It’s a devastating and barbaric act that defies all comprehension.

VERB : no passive , no cont , V n

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.