in defiance of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in defiance of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone intentionally acts or speaks in opposition to a rule or social norm. For example, "The protesters marched in defiance of the government's orders to stay home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

house on Sq. in defiance of Wash.

The New Yorker

In defiance of nature's odds, every driver is a man.

The New York Times

The war had endured in defiance of the democratic process.

The New Yorker

Was the building constructed in defiance of building codes?

The Economist

She knows what's right, often in defiance of the grownups.

The Guardian - Books

In defiance of a house arrest order, he went underground.

The Guardian

The greatest games blaze in defiance of managerial plans.

The Guardian - Sport

It soon became a war in defiance of law.

The New York Times - Books

Garden cities developed in defiance of status-symbol architecture.

The Guardian - Books

Four out of five of them did, in defiance of the union's boycott.

The Economist

The quenelle is made as much in ignorance of French history as in defiance of it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in defiance of" to emphasize a deliberate act of resistance or non-compliance against established rules, norms, or authority. It adds a layer of intentionality to the action.

Common error

Avoid using "in defiance of" in situations where a more neutral term like "despite" or "regardless of" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong connotation of resistance and should be used intentionally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in defiance of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is correctly used to indicate intentional opposition or resistance to a rule, law, or established norm. It modifies a verb or noun, adding context about the manner in which an action is performed or a state is maintained.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in defiance of" is a prepositional phrase used to express intentional opposition or non-compliance with a rule, law, or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. It carries a connotation of resistance or unwillingness to conform, making it suitable for contexts where a deliberate act of opposition is emphasized. When writing, it's important to consider the formality of the situation and choose a more neutral term if the strong connotation of resistance is not intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in violation of

Specifically refers to breaking a rule, law, or agreement; less general than "in defiance of".

in contempt of

Emphasizes scorn or disrespect, adding a layer of emotional disregard not always present in "in defiance of".

in opposition to

Directly states an opposing stance, suitable for situations involving conflict or disagreement.

contrary to

Indicates direct opposition or contradiction, often used for statements or expectations.

at odds with

Suggests a state of conflict or disagreement, often used to describe incompatible ideas or actions.

in spite of

Highlights a lack of impact or prevention, focusing on the persistence of something despite an opposing force.

disregarding

Focuses on the act of ignoring or overlooking something, often implying a lack of respect or attention.

regardless of

Highlights that something is not affected by something else, suggesting indifference or lack of concern.

in the face of

Emphasizes courage or resilience when confronting something challenging or intimidating.

notwithstanding

A more formal term indicating that something happens despite something else.

FAQs

How do you use "in defiance of" in a sentence?

Use "in defiance of" to show that someone is intentionally disobeying a rule, law, or authority. For example, "The protesters marched "in defiance of" the government's orders."

What's a good alternative to "in defiance of"?

Alternatives include "in spite of", "in violation of", or "contrary to depending" on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "in defiance to" grammatically correct?

No, the correct preposition to use with "defiance" is "of", not "to". Therefore, "in defiance of" is correct.

What is the difference between "in defiance of" and "despite"?

"In defiance of" implies a deliberate act of opposition, whereas "despite" simply indicates that something happened regardless of an obstacle or difficulty. For example, you might say someone acted "in defiance of" a direct order, but continued "despite the rain".