It simply defies common sense that a state cannot have a say in its energy future.

"It simply defies logic to contend that these governmental actions do not amount to persecution," the judge said.

The sheer monstrousness of such a reversal simply defied belief.

Others wondered if Times Square simply defies the normal rules of neighborhood commerce.

It simply defies belief that they could learn to rock so hard in such a brief amount of time".

Alaska's greatest asset may actually be its diversity and the state's superlatives simply defy the imagination.

It simply defies common sense to think that Justice Bork would not effectively do what he has built his career saying should be done.

This simply defies belief, given the importance of the debate.

Other times, it simply defies judicial orders to turn over the material.

Or simply defy convention to become one happy family?