What is the opposite of “defiant”?

What is the antonym of “defiant”?

The antonym of defiant is compliant, submissive, and obedient. The antonyms compliant, submissive, and obedient convey a willingness to follow rules, orders, or requests. It implies a lack of resistance, disobedience, or rebellion.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

compliant

Willing to comply with rules, orders, or requests; obedient.

Example

The company's policy requires all employees to be compliant with safety regulations.

submissive

Willing to submit to the authority or control of others; meek or passive.

Example

He was so submissive that he never spoke up for himself, even when he was being mistreated.

obedient

Willing to obey rules, orders, or instructions; compliant.

Example

The dog was very obedient and always followed its owner's commands.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Compliant implies a willingness to follow rules or orders, but not necessarily a lack of resistance.
• 2. Submissive implies a willingness to submit to authority or control, often without questioning or resisting.
• 3. Obedient implies a willingness to follow rules or instructions, often without questioning or resisting.

Good things to know

• 1. Instructing: Use compliant, submissive, and obedient to describe people who are willing to follow rules or orders.
• 2. Describing: Use these antonyms to describe characters in stories or real-life situations.
• 3. Comparing: Use these antonyms to compare people's attitudes towards authority or control.

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Remember this!

The antonyms have distinct nuances: Compliant implies a willingness to follow rules or orders, submissive implies a willingness to submit to authority or control, and obedient implies a willingness to follow rules or instructions. Use these words to instruct, describe, or compare people's attitudes towards authority or control.