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
That defense was looking awful.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
That includes weapons platforms, sensors, communications, logistics, autonomy, electronic warfare, missile defense, and command-and-control infrastructure.
—Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Iran’s strategy of encirclement of Israel had collapsed, and its ballistic-missile counterpunch was largely deflected by Israeli and Western defenses.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Israel’s defense minister said the military would accelerate demolishing homes along the southern Lebanese border and destroy all bridges over the Litani River.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
That includes weapons platforms, sensors, communications, logistics, autonomy, electronic warfare, missile defense, and command-and-control infrastructure.
—Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Iran’s strategy of encirclement of Israel had collapsed, and its ballistic-missile counterpunch was largely deflected by Israeli and Western defenses.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Israel’s defense minister said the military would accelerate demolishing homes along the southern Lebanese border and destroy all bridges over the Litani River.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense
Noun
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The boxes bore the same lot number as ammunition found in Moïse’s home, according to a photograph also submitted by the government.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
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For Ukraine, the technology could have particular value in artillery operations, where large quantities of ammunition must be transported and loaded repeatedly under combat conditions.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Regardless, there’s no excuse — even in hard knocks politics — for attacking someone because of his disability.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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The Rangers have reasons, but no good excuse, for failing to miss the playoffs over the past two seasons.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Home routers and mesh systems are critical to national security and consumer protection, and today’s decision is a step forward.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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The government offers no protection to these villagers.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But for weeks, Campbell’s office has cited a range of exemptions in state law as justification for not releasing records about the grand jury’s activities to news outlets, including the Herald/Times.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Washington has accused Maduro of heading the Cartel de los Soles, which allegedly funneled large quantities of drugs into the US, using the accusations as the justification for ousting him from power.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The agency determined that gases that built up in the shield’s outer material did not vent properly, allowing pressure to accumulate.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
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And, often times, a shield who absorbed the criticism for the DeVos family.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Lamar said even she was stopped by a sheriff's deputy for no apparent reason, driving a Mercedes Benz with her child in the backseat.—
Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
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The app also encourages users to write a message to the host during the reservation process about the reason for renting.—
Mary Ramsey
March 25,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The report released in February by the two Texas agencies details the state’s ongoing safeguards to prevent, stop and prosecute fraud and what is being done to clamp down on it further.—
Jess Huff,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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The framework, which the administration wants Congress to codify, calls for online safeguards for children, less stringent permitting requirements to shield customers from spikes in utility bills, intellectual property rights protections and language to prevent censorship.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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During the alleged assault, the victim managed to pull out a handgun, initiating a further struggle over the weapon.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Iran also is targeting data centers with both cyber and conventional weapons, showing how important the centers have become to the economy, communications and military information security.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defense. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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