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NL888 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Does "defied" mean "challenged" here?

Context:

Psychohistory
Ever since the end of the Second World War, Hitler and the main Nazi leaders have
defied the scientific community: how does one explain the psychology of politicians
responsible for the worst atrocities and showing no remorse for their actions?
Psychohistory, the discipline that combines psychology and history, posited the existence
of a direct correlation between the intensity of the Nazi extremists’ psychological
disturbances and the intensity of their cruelty (Friedländer, 1978 ). But such a model
cannot be generalised. Many patients suffering from severe mental disorders do not
show any sign of violence towards their environment.
  

Top answer

In some ways there existence challenges scientists understanding, but I would prefer that their actions defy belief, as though they had made it almost impossible to understand. (of a thing) Make (an action or quality) almost impossible

  • In some ways there existence challenges scientists understanding, but I would prefer that their actions defy belief, as though they had made it almost impossible to understand.
  • (of a thing) Make (an action or quality) almost impossible
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1 Answers
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In some ways there existence challenges scientists understanding, but I would prefer
that their actions defy belief, as though they had made it almost impossible to understand.

(of a thing) Make (an action or quality) almost impossible

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