bold defiance

USAGE SUMMARY

"bold defiance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a strong and fearless resistance against authority or opposition. Example: "Her bold defiance of the rules inspired others to stand up for their beliefs." Alternative expressions include "brave resistance" and "courageous opposition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Thus the title of Kim's book screams a bold defiance of global historical trends.

The Guardian - Books

In bold defiance of the central theme, I'd say yes and no.

The Guardian - Books

The sequence that follows, set in the darkness and silence surrounding a small freight depot, is breathtaking in its swiftness and bold defiance of audience expectations.

The New York Times

Despite reports of violence in Hama, video on Friday showed protesters around the country returning to the streets after prayers in bold defiance of the government's fierce crackdown.

The New York Times

In bold defiance of the three little pigs, the Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has made an international reputation building structures out of paper tubes.

The New Yorker

In bold defiance -- and a sign of how fluid and unpredictable politics have become in Iran -- merchants opened their doors anyway.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Such a gesture plays well in a country where a towering expression of past and present glory has more appeal than fragile ruins; but it may be the boldest defiance of the world heritage regime that UNESCO has ever faced.

The Economist

And in a bold gesture of defiance, he publicly condemned his own government's investigation, calling the accusations false and motivated purely by politics.

The New York Times

Abbas Nasir, who contributes to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, reported on Twitter that one girl in Swat made a bold statement of defiance in a live interview on a Pakistani television station on Thursday.

The New York Times

1.02pm BST To Assad's supporters, it is a bold piece of defiance, worthy of his father, that shows the US what Syria has in store for it should it attack, while to opponents of the regime it is also proof of like father like son but in a bad way.

The Guardian

It was a bold act of defiance, a reclamation of space for herself, and for women.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bold defiance" when the act of resistance is public, intentional and carries a significant message or risk to the person acting.

Common error

Do not use "bold defiance" to describe minor or accidental disobedience, such as a student forgetting a homework assignment. It requires a sense of purpose and a clear 'statement' being made against an authority or convention.

Linguistic Context

In terms of grammatical function, "bold defiance" acts as a noun phrase where 'bold' serves as an intensive adjective modifying the noun 'defiance'. According to Ludwig, it typically functions as the direct object of a verb (e.g. 'showed "bold defiance"') or as part of a prepositional phrase describing a state of being (e.g. 'in "bold defiance" of').

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "bold defiance" is a robust and effective phrase used to characterize a high-stakes refusal to submit to authority or convention. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent and correct usage across the world's most prestigious publications, particularly in contexts involving political activism, artistic innovation and legal challenges. By combining the adjective 'bold' with the noun 'defiance', writers can effectively signal that a resistance is not just happening, but is being conducted with a level of courage or audacity that demands attention. Whether describing a protester in the streets or an architect breaking from tradition, this phrase remains a staple of sophisticated English writing for highlighting intentional, meaningful opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fearless resistance

Emphasizes the lack of fear in the face of opposition.

audacious challenge

Highlights the risk-taking or shocking nature of the act.

courageous opposition

Focuses on the moral strength required to stand against something.

brazen noncompliance

Suggests a more technical or rule-based refusal to obey.

daring disobedience

Uses a softer tone but maintains the sense of a risky choice.

valiant protest

Implies a heroic or noble effort to express disagreement.

resolute rebellion

Indicates a firm and unwavering commitment to overturning authority.

steadfast refusal

Describes a passive but incredibly strong act of saying no.

blatant disregard

Carries a more negative connotation of ignoring rules or norms.

open mutiny

Specifically refers to a collective rebellion against structural leadership.

FAQs

How do I use bold defiance in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person's attitude or an action, for example: "Her decision to continue the protest was an act of "bold defiance" against the regime."

What can I say instead of bold defiance?

Depending on the intensity you wish to convey, you can use phrases like "<a href="/s/fearless+resistance" target="_blank" rel="alternative">fearless resistance", "<a href="/s/audacious+challenge" target="_blank" rel="alternative">audacious challenge" or "<a href="/s/courageous+opposition" target="_blank" rel="alternative">courageous opposition".

Is bold defiance usually positive or negative?

It is often used with a positive or heroic connotation in Western media to describe activists or innovators, but it can be used neutrally or negatively depending on the authority being defied.

What's the difference between bold defiance and brazen disregard?

While both involve ignoring rules, "bold defiance" implies a principled stance or courage, whereas "<a href="/s/brazen+disregard" target="_blank" rel="alternative">brazen disregard" suggests a lack of respect or care for rules without necessarily having a noble motive.