1
as in ammunition
means or method of defending
thorns are a rose's defense against grazing animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excuse
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame
there's absolutely no defense for your actions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defense
The best defense against deforestation is to make the land around forests productive and profitable by offering farmers viable alternatives to cutting them down.
—
Kaveh Zahedi, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Ware’s pick-and-roll defense remains a work in progress, and opposing teams continue to test that area of his game.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
The Chargers have taken a big step in the right direction in Year 2 of the Jim Harbaugh era, in large part because of an outstanding defense.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
That drive came after the Trojans’ defense held on downs on a fourth-and-five at its 44-yard line.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defense
Kaveh Zahedi, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Ware’s pick-and-roll defense remains a work in progress, and opposing teams continue to test that area of his game.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
The Chargers have taken a big step in the right direction in Year 2 of the Jim Harbaugh era, in large part because of an outstanding defense.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
That drive came after the Trojans’ defense held on downs on a fourth-and-five at its 44-yard line.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense
Noun
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In searching homes on Friday, FBI agents found multiple AR-15-style rifles, shotguns, handguns and tactical vets, as well as more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition compatible with the AR-15-style rifles, the complaint said.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
3 Nov. 2025
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Inside the vehicle, officers discovered the assault rifle, ammunition, gloves, a black ski mask and about $1,100 in cash, the documents said.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Yes, potential excuses exist, such as the Tigers’ switch to Daniels, a senior Stanford transfer whose tremendous performance (353 yards passing and two touchdowns, 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns) demands the question of why Freeze didn’t turn the offense over to him weeks ago.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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No excuses, but there were two reasons for wearing it.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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However, many legal analysts believe the justices will not overturn the precedent, and some additional legal protections for same-sex married couples were passed into federal law in 2022.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Starbucks Workers United is fighting for a new contract that delivers improved staffing hours, take-home pay, and on-the-job protections for baristas.—
Amelia Lucas,Kate Rogers,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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To say nothing about the thorny question of its genre—do Eastern European writers need to provide more explanations and justifications when using the technique of autofiction?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Parise questioned the government’s financial justification for its operation in Old Irving Park, which yielded one arrest of an undocumented immigrant but had far-reaching effects on children and other residents.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For Dimon, bureaucracy is a reflex that creeps into any large institution and shields leaders from reality.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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Rodriguez didn't name nuclear energy specifically, but advocated for businesses to invest in renewable energy as part of the data center boom, and Roys agreed the state should ensure companies invest in upgrades to the state's energy infrastructure and shield ratepayers from higher costs.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Part of the reason why there are so few of these conversations about podcasting is a general lack of criticism for narrative audio.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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All workers have protections, with those over 40 having additional safeguards under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA).—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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The woman who said Butler had manipulated her faith to abuse her as a teen blamed the Assemblies of God’s lack of safeguards for enabling him.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The United States has imposed sanctions on eight North Korean individuals and two entities, accusing them of laundering funds from cybercrime and fraud and channeling them into the North’s nuclear weapons program.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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But the islands will forever have a testament to the effects of nuclear weapons.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defense. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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