in complete defiance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in complete defiance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or behavior that openly resists or challenges authority, rules, or expectations. Example: "She continued to speak her mind in complete defiance of the company's strict policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This is in complete defiance of his wishes.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is an attempt to be in complete defiance of the law," Linda O'Neil, a longtime nurse at the hospital, said on Saturday.

The New York Times

A certain hero worship, also, is discernible in Truffaut's long published conversations with the veteran British American filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock Hitchcockk, rev. ed. 1984), whose work he admired in complete defiance of his earlier theories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What the Greens' membership surge illustrates, after all, is a new kind of politics, largely driven by social media, in which unforeseen developments can take shape at lightning speed, in complete defiance of the usual rules.

The Guardian

Each utterance of "per tua colpa ora men vò" (by your fault, I go to my death) held a different, often surprising emotion, and my capacity to sing it varied: one moment in complete defiance ("I never loved you anyway"), and the next feeling so weak I could barely stand ("did you never love me?").

The Guardian - Music

In a statement, the two leaders said today's wars were being waged "in complete defiance of basic humanity".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

That is, to completely stop and dunk my head in the waterfall or examine a plant by lowering one hand was complete defiance of natural laws.

Huffington Post

In utter defiance of these pressures, nature has nonetheless tenaciously retained genes in organelles.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Like the Chibok students who had dared go to school – putting them among just 29% of girls in northern Nigeria to make it past primary school – Smith, a product of the newly desegregated schools of Colorado, understood the struggle to complete education in defiance of society's expectations.

The Guardian

Instead of coming off, Kepa simply stood his ground, wagging a disapproving finger in open defiance of Sarri who, as the situation descended into complete farce, allowed this flagrant display of player power to win the day.

BBC

"A Jihad for Love", "A Sinner in Mecca" (film) and the book, "A Sinner in Mecca (A Gay Muslim's Hajj of Defiance) complete what is known as Parvez Sharma's, "Islam Trilogy".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in complete defiance" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and thorough rejection of authority or established norms. This phrase adds weight to the act of resistance, highlighting its comprehensive nature.

Common error

Avoid using "in complete defiance" in casual conversation or informal writing where a simpler phrase like "defying" or "disregarding" would suffice. The formality of "in complete defiance" can sound overdramatic in relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in complete defiance" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the manner in which an action is performed or a state is maintained. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is used correctly, providing emphasis on the nature of the defiance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in complete defiance" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a prepositional phrase that adds emphasis to an act of resistance or opposition. While not overly common, it is used across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. The phrase is best used to highlight a deliberate and thorough rejection of authority or established norms. Alternatives such as "in total defiance" or "in utter defiance" can be used to convey similar meanings, though "in complete defiance" conveys a deliberate and total disobedience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total defiance

Replaces "complete" with "total", emphasizing the extent of the defiance.

in utter defiance

Substitutes "complete" with "utter", highlighting the intensity of the defiance.

in open rebellion

Replaces "defiance" with "rebellion", suggesting a more active and overt form of resistance.

in blatant disregard

Shifts focus from defiance to disregard, emphasizing the lack of attention or respect for rules or authority.

in flagrant violation

Emphasizes the act of breaking a rule or law openly and shamelessly.

in direct opposition

Highlights the confrontational aspect, indicating a clear and intentional resistance.

in knowing contravention

Focuses on the awareness and intention behind the act of defiance.

in stark contradiction

Indicates a clear and irreconcilable difference or opposition.

in contemptuous disregard

Adds a layer of disrespect and scorn to the act of disregarding something.

with absolute noncompliance

Emphasizes the refusal to comply with a rule, order, or request.

FAQs

How can I use "in complete defiance" in a sentence?

You can use "in complete defiance" to describe actions that openly resist rules or authority. For example: "The protesters acted "in complete defiance" of the curfew."

What's the difference between "in complete defiance" and "in total defiance"?

While both phrases are similar, "in total defiance" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the resistance, while "in complete defiance" highlights the thoroughness of the act. They are largely interchangeable, but "total" might suggest a more encompassing scope.

Which is more appropriate, "in complete defiance" or "in defiance of"?

"In defiance of" is a more general phrase, while "in complete defiance" adds emphasis to the extent and thoroughness of the defiance. Use "in complete defiance" when you want to stress the deliberate and thorough nature of the resistance.

What can I say instead of "in complete defiance"?

You can use alternatives such as "in total disregard", "in utter defiance", or "in open rebellion" depending on the context.