defy

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de·fy / diˈfī/ • v. (-fies, -fied) [tr.] openly resist or refuse to obey. ∎  (of a thing) make (an action or quality) almost impossible: his actions defy belief. ∎  [tr.] appear to be challenging (someone) to do or prove something: he glowered at her, defying her to mock him.DERIVATIVES: de·fi·er n.

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