好词典

defy

UK //dɪˈfaɪ//US //dɪˈfaɪ//

词源

源自中古英语 defien,来自古法语 desfier,最终源于拉丁语 dis-(表示否定) + fidus(信任)。

verb

❶ 公开反抗或拒绝服从权威、规则或法律,表现出强烈的挑战态度。

“He defied his parents' wishes and dropped out of school.”

(他违抗父母的意愿,选择辍学。)

“The protesters defied the government's orders to disperse.”

(抗议者无视政府要求解散的命令。)

❶ 使某事难以或不可能实现,通常指挑战物理规律或常识。

“The acrobat's movements seemed to defy gravity.”

(杂技演员的动作仿佛违背了重力定律。)

“Her energy level defies belief for someone her age.”

(以她的年龄而言,她的精力旺盛得令人难以置信。)

同义词:resist, disobey, challenge, oppose, flout

常见短语

defy description — 形容事物过于复杂或独特,难以用语言准确描述。

“The beauty of the landscape defies description.”

(这片风景之美难以用言语形容。)

defy the odds — 在不利条件下取得成功,超出普遍预期。

“The underdog team defied the odds to win the championship.”

(这支弱旅出人意料地赢得了冠军。)