defied reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defied reality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that goes against the accepted norms or truths of the real world. Example: "In her latest novel, the author defied reality by creating a world where time travel was not only possible but commonplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They feel a part of a champion who almost defied reality...until now.

Huffington Post

Like so many other tricks of the system, this one defied reality but worked anyway.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There must come a moment when it is no longer possible to defy reality.

Independent

Although his critics' "Joe Must Go" signs are tasteless, his supporters' rationale defies reality.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's defying reality to say that I haven't talked about education".

The New York Times

These claims defy reality, Mr. Tsvangirai said Wednesday, in Johannesburg rather than Harare, where most news coverage remains banned.

The New York Times

That it further deems such expression as "artistic" defies reality, as any observer of late-night cable television will confirm.

The New York Times

Government officials offered an altogether different version of events, in reports from Damascus, the capital, that appeared more and more to defy reality.

The New York Times

And — here is where art sometimes supplants science — if that estimate seems to defy reality, Mr. Braconi will tweak it using other data, or his instincts.

The New York Times

The spectacle of British parties drawing their red lines in such profusion defies reality in a slowly crumbling two-party tradition.

The Guardian

Arnold constructs the film as a series of scenes that fit together with a superficial psychological coherence that, despite the adherence to concrete physical facts, defies reality.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the expression "defied reality", ensure the context clearly establishes a contrast between what is expected or known and the extraordinary nature of the situation described.

Common error

Avoid using "defied reality" casually for minor deviations from expectations. The phrase carries a strong connotation of improbability and should be reserved for truly exceptional situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defied reality" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object, used to describe something that goes against or contradicts what is considered real or possible. As Ludwig AI explains, this expression is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defied reality" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes something that contradicts what is commonly understood or considered possible. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is valid and is often employed to emphasize the extraordinary nature of an event or situation. It appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", and less so in academic or informal contexts. While alternatives like "challenged perception" or "contradicted known facts" exist, "defied reality" carries a unique weight that emphasizes the improbability of the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defied belief

Stresses incredulity, showing how something is difficult to accept as real or true.

contradicted known facts

Highlights a clash with known information, focusing on factual discrepancies rather than reality in a broader sense.

challenged perception

Focuses on questioning established viewpoints rather than a direct contradiction of reality.

defied conventional wisdom

Focuses on challenging common beliefs, differing from contradicting fundamental reality.

transcended limitations

Emphasizes overcoming boundaries, subtly implying a departure from what is considered normal or possible.

defied expectations

Highlights a deviation from anticipated outcomes, differing from a clash with reality itself.

inverted expectations

Highlights the reversal of anticipated outcomes, differing from opposing reality itself.

obstructed rational understanding

Highlights that something is hard to understand or make sense of.

rebelled against norms

Implies a conscious rejection of accepted conventions, rather than an intrinsic contradiction of reality.

went against the grain

Highlights resistance to common practices, differing from opposing reality itself.

FAQs

How can I use "defied reality" in a sentence?

You can use "defied reality" to describe situations that seem impossible or highly improbable, such as "The magician's illusions "defied reality", leaving the audience in awe".

What are some alternatives to "defied reality"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "challenged perception", "contradicted known facts", or "defied belief".

In what contexts is "defied reality" most appropriate?

"Defied reality" is best used when describing events or phenomena that significantly challenge our understanding of the world, often in contexts of magic, science fiction, or extraordinary achievements.

What's the difference between "defied reality" and "challenged reality"?

"Defied reality" suggests a direct contradiction or impossibility within the known laws of nature or understanding, while "challenged reality" implies a questioning or testing of those boundaries without necessarily breaking them.