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Definition of defy : 1. A challenge.
2. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.
3. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.

Synonyms:

go, keep back, concord, pass up, hold in, throw, keep, decline, guard, disobey, restrain, beard, harbor, detain, go for, fend, book, hold out, make bold, obligate, give, presume, hold up, have got, stick up, withstand, reserve, delay, entertain, view as, maintain, baulk, agree, arrest, request, concur, endure, deem, break, make, refuse, nurse, confine, support, hold water, last, moderate, apply, front, deny, obtain, admit, curb, stand, take for, take hold, survive, jib, accommodate, sustain, turn down, halt, violate, hold, harbour, turn away, carry, prevail, stand firm, oblige, live, take, bear, transgress, stand up, retain, defend, control, adjudge, balk, bind, live on, have, contain, hold back, declare

neutralize, counterwork, tamper, offset

challenge, rebel, counter, dare, counteract, countermand, resist, dissent, cross, face, affront, confront, contravene

deal with, brave, encounter

argue, object, complain, oppose, repudiate, antagonize, bicker, differ, dispute, reject, demur, conflict, disagree, clash, collide, contend

flout

inhibit, hinder, repel, protest, oppress, contradict, interfere, check, impede, intercept, repulse, obstruct, meddle, counterattack, suppress, rebuff, repress, fight

Usage examples:

• And here was a man who would defy the whole world. - "The Grey Cloak", Harold MacGrath.
• Shall we yield or defy them? - "A Struggle for Rome, Vol. 2 (of 3)", Felix Dahn.
• Defy me- and I'll write you a better poem, too! - "The Marriage of William Ashe", Mrs. Humphry Ward.