open defiance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "open defiance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone openly challenges or resists authority or rules. Example: "His actions were seen as open defiance against the new regulations imposed by the government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But here there isn't usually such open defiance of courts.

The New Yorker

In Alabama, Turnage met his oppressors with open defiance.

The New York Times - Books

Never before had Damascus faced such open defiance.

The Guardian

He found the paper in "open defiance of the law".

The New York Times

It was not an act of open defiance.

The New York Times - Magazine

Poachers are heavily armed, and frequently operate in open defiance of state efforts to constrain them.

The New Yorker

Norway's open defiance of the 1986 international whaling ban enrages environmentalists.

The Guardian

Most of his lines fall somewhere between these two extremes of strict adherence to and open defiance of the meter.

The New Yorker

People walked right up to the fence in front of the police in open defiance, but without anger.

The Guardian

… In open defiance of Baghdad, a Kurdish minister said the peshmerga felt free to travel anywhere in the country.

The Guardian

Normally, such open defiance would lead to a clampdown on comment and the forced deletion of all critical posts on the subject.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen clarity, follow "open defiance" with a prepositional phrase (e.g., "open defiance of the law") specifying what is being defied.

Common error

While "open defiance" is a powerful phrase, it can sound overly dramatic in casual settings. Consider using more nuanced language like "disagreement", "resistance", or "challenge" when describing minor disagreements.

Linguistic Context

Open defiance functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It describes a situation where someone openly challenges or resists authority, laws, or established norms. This is demonstrated in the Ludwig examples, where it describes actions ranging from protesting government policies to challenging industry standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Open defiance is a commonly used noun phrase to describe a clear and visible act of resistance against authority. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its strength lies in emphasizing the intentional and unconcealed nature of the challenge. While versatile, it's best used in contexts where the resistance is significant and public. For more casual scenarios, alternatives like "disagreement" or "resistance" may be more appropriate. With a high source quality score and expert rating, its consistent usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its place in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant resistance

Emphasizes the obvious and unconcealed nature of the resistance.

public disobedience

Highlights the act of disobeying rules or laws in a public setting.

flagrant violation

Focuses on the shocking and deliberate disregard for rules or standards.

bold insubordination

Stresses the courageous or audacious nature of the act of defying authority.

outright rebellion

Suggests a more extensive and organized form of opposition.

overt challenge

Focuses on the direct and unconcealed act of questioning or disputing authority.

unconcealed opposition

Highlights that the opposition is not hidden or secret.

brazen disregard

Implies a shameless and disrespectful lack of attention to rules or expectations.

unashamed noncompliance

Emphasizes the lack of remorse or embarrassment in failing to adhere to rules.

direct contravention

Focuses on the immediate and head-on nature of the act of going against something.

FAQs

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

You can use "open defiance" to describe a situation where someone openly challenges or resists authority or rules. For example: "The protestors engaged in "open defiance" of the government's new policies."

What are some synonyms for "open defiance"?

Synonyms for "open defiance" include "blatant resistance", "public disobedience", and "flagrant violation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "open defiance" and "passive resistance"?

"Open defiance" involves an active and visible challenge to authority, while "passive resistance" involves non-violent non-cooperation. "Open defiance" is more confrontational, whereas "passive resistance" is a more subtle form of protest.

Is "open defiance" always a negative action?

Not necessarily. While it often implies disagreement or rebellion against established norms, "open defiance" can also be seen as a courageous act when challenging unjust or oppressive systems.