defiance, n. challenge, provocation; opposition, insubmission, contumacy, contempt, insubordination, insurgency, mutiny, rebellion, recalcitration.

defiant, a. disobedient, insubmissive, contumacious, bellicose, rebellious, contumelious, refractory, cockahoop, mutinous.  Antonyms:  obedient, tractable, submissive.

deficiency, n. inadequacy, insufficiency, shortage, meagreness.

deficient, a. defective, imperfect, meagre, scanty, inadequate, insufficient.

defile, v. contaminate, pollute, soil, befoul, vitiate, taint, corrupt, infect, sully.

defilement, n. contamination, pollution, vitiation, corruption.

definite, a. positive, specific, express, explicit, specified, exact, precise.  Antonyms:  See indefinite.

definition, n. explanation, description; lexigraphy.

deformed, a. misshapen, disfigured, crippled.

deformity, n. malformation, disfigurement, unshapeliness distortion.  Associated Words:  orthopedy, orthopraxy, orthopedic, orthopedist.

defraud, v.  See cheat.

deft, a. dexterous, adroit, expert, skillful, apt, clever.

defy, v. challenge, dare; spurn, flout, scorn.

degeneracy, n. decline, degeneration, retrogression, deterioration.

degenerate, v. deteriorate, retrograde, decline.

degeneration, n. deterioration, decline, retrogradation, degeneracy, vitiation.

degradation, n. abasement, debasement, disgrace, humiliation.

degrade, v. abase, debase, disgrace, pervert, humiliate, dishonor.

degraded, a. debased, low, shameful.

deiflcation, n. apotheosis.

deify, v. apotheosize.

deign, v. condescend, vouchsafe.

delay, n. deferring, deferment, procrastination, postponement, respite, reprieve; retardation, retention, obstruction; dawdling, lingering, dalliance.  Antonyms:  dispatch, promptness, expedition, haste.

delay, v. postpone, defer, procrastinate, suspend, reprieve, retard, impede, hinder, obstruct; linger, tarry, dawdle, dally.  Antonyms:  dispatch, hasten, expedite, facilitate.

delegate, v. depute, commission.

delegate, n. deputy, proxy, vicar, commissioner, legate, envoy, appointee, surrogate.

deleterious, a. hurtful, noxious, pernicious.

deliberate, a. intentional, premeditated, prepense, done on purpose.  Antonyms:  accidental, unconscious, unpremeditated, unintentional.

deliberation, n. consideration, discussion, consultation.

delicacy, n. daintiness, fineness, frailty, refinement, fastidiousness, discrimination, sensitiveness; dainty, tidbit, junket.  Antonyms:  indelicacy, coarseness, indiscrimination.

delicate, a. graceful, fine, exquisite, minute, slender; refined, sensitive, fastidious, dainty; critical, ticklish.  Antonyms:  See indelicate.

delicious, a. luscious, palatable, savory, exquisite, delightful.  Antonyms:  unpalatable, nauseous, distasteful fulsome.