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desafiar

to challenge

verb des-ah-FYAHR Rare
Mind & Emotions Attitudes

Also means

to defy

Usage Note

Desafiar comes from des- plus the old verb afiar (to pledge or give one's word), so to challenge is etymologically to withdraw one's trust. It is used for physical challenges (desafiar al campeón) and abstract ones (desafiar la lógica — to defy logic). The noun is desafío; stress shifts to the í in conjugation: desafío, desafías.

Examples

"Los jóvenes suelen desafiar las normas establecidas."

Natural Translation

Young people often challenge established norms.

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