a daring or bold resistance to authority or to any opposing force.

open disregard; contempt (often fol. by of )

defiance of danger; His refusal amounted to defiance.

a challenge to meet in combat or in a contest. ?

bid defiance to

to offer resistance; defy.

in defiance of

in spite of; notwithstanding

There was a splendid audience in defiance of the rainstorm.

noun

acquiescence , obedience , regard , respect , submission , subordination

noun

affront , audacity , back talk * , big talk * , boldness , bravado , brazenness , call , cartel , challenge , command , confrontation , contempt , contrariness , contumacy , dare , defy , effrontery , enjoinder , factiousness , gas * , guts * , hot air * , impudence , impugnment , insolence , insubordination , insurgence , insurgency , intractableness , lip * , muster * , opposition , order , perversity , provocation , rebellion , rebelliousness , recalcitrance , revolt , sass * , spite , stump , summons , temerity , throwing of the gauntlet , unruliness , despite , recalcitrancy , disobedience , disregard , hostility , insubmission , mutiny , recalcitration