Defy
Defy verb - To invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat.
Usage example: after missing the target, she defied her boyfriend to do better
Face is a synonym for defy in resist topic. In some cases you can use "Face" instead a verb "Defy", when it comes to topics like action, conflict, oppose, challenge.
Face
Face verb - To oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage.
Usage example: movie superheroes who are ever ready to face danger without blinking an eye
Defy is a synonym for face in conflict topic. You can use "Defy" instead a verb "Face", if it concerns topics such as oppose, brave, resist, confront.
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- Hilariously, on this one time that someone actually tries to defy the trope, he gets a face full of Hadou 96 as a result.
Source: Not Worth Killing -
Specifically, he says the only way for Thor to solve the problem is to defy Odin, then sees the determined look on Thor's face as the idea sinks in and immediately tells him that he can't.
Source: Film / Thor -
Now, with the cub in tow as a sidekick, she will join Han Solo and whatever to face overwhelming odds, defy the bad guys and make hubby proudif he's still alive.
Source: Action Mom
Cite this Source
Face and Defy. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/defy/face
Defy & Face. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/defy/face>.
Face or Defy. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/defy/face.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "defy" and "face" have occurred on timeline