verb

openly resist or refuse to obey.

a woman who defies convention

disobey,refuse to obey,go against,rebel against,flout,fly in the face of,thumb one’s nose at,disregard,ignore,set one’s face against,kick against,break,violate,contravene,breach,infringe,cock a snook at,set at naught,resist,withstand,take a stand against,hold out against,stand up to,confront,face,meet head-on,take on,square up to,beard,brave,outface