defy

to refuse to obey or accept something, especially an authority or a rule

desafiar, resistir, oponerse a

• defy sb/sth

Collocations defy authority · defy the law

• He defied his parents' wishes and joined the army.

  Desafió los deseos de sus padres y se unió al ejército.

to challenge or oppose someone or something in a way that shows you do not believe they will succeed

desafiar, retar

• defy sb/sth

Collocations defy logic · defy explanation

• The facts defy explanation.

  Los hechos desafían la explicación.

to continue to exist or survive, especially in a situation where you would expect something to die out or be destroyed

resistir, sobrevivir a

• defy sth

Collocations defy the elements · defy death

• The old building has defied the ravages of time.

  El antiguo edificio ha resistido los rigores del tiempo.