How to say "defy" in Japanese

• 楯突くたてつくCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbDefiance directed upward: disobeying or rebelling against someone who outranks you, such as a parent or a boss. The image is of thrusting at a shield, so it suggests open, confrontational defiance.
  あの人ひとにたてつかない方ほうがいいよ。↗

  You're better off not getting in his way!
• 逆らうさからうJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe broadest of the three: to go against or oppose, whether a person's will, an order, or authority. It covers plain defiance and disobedience, and can also describe going against the current of things.
  彼かれは世よの風潮ふうちょうに逆さからう。↗

  He is swimming against the tide.
• 歯向かうはむかうCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbDefiance as open confrontation: striking back at, turning on, or rising against someone. The image is of baring one's teeth, so it fits a defiant show of resistance rather than quiet disobedience.
  ウサギでさえ、いじめられて片隅かたすみに追おいつめられると、刃向はむかってくるだろう。↗

  Even a rabbit, if badgered into a corner, will fight back.

Use 「楯突く」 for defying a superior, 「逆らう」 as the general word for going against someone or something, and 「歯向かう」 when defiance means open confrontation — striking back or rising against.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 楯突くたてつくto defy
• 逆らうさからうto go against
• 歯向かうはむかうto strike back at
• 抗するこうするto resist
• 反するはんするto disobey (an order, teachings, etc.)
• 凌ぐしのぐto surpass
• 弓を引くゆみをひくto oppose
• 押すおすto do ... in spite of ...