1
as in guarded
to drive danger or attack away from
a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justified
to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections
she will pigheadedly defend any claim regardless of all evidence to the contrary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in protected
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of defended
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
In 11 games for Wisconsin, Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Over his career, Inoue won and defended the WBO junior bantamweight title seven times before moving to bantamweight for nine bouts.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The prime minister, Keir Starmer, appointed Mandelson to this important diplomatic post and initially defended him in Parliament.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
Metsola defended the decision as consistent with parliamentary procedure and offered condolences.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Mark Hetfield, president of the refugee resettlement group HIAS, defended the existing global agreements as ensuring people would never be subject to persecution without an escape route.
—Ted Hesson, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Peskov on Friday also defended the joint military exercises that Russia is holding with Belarus this week, called Zapad-2025.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
During that season, the Yankees vehemently defended Kiner-Falefa’s defense, including calling him a top-five shortstop at one point.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
In the end, Mizzou defended its home territory and defeated Kansas 42-31.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
In 11 games for Wisconsin, Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The organization has defended its dynamic pricing strategy, part of a plan to generate $3 billion in ticket sales next year, arguing that the money funds the sport around the world.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Over his career, Inoue won and defended the WBO junior bantamweight title seven times before moving to bantamweight for nine bouts.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The prime minister, Keir Starmer, appointed Mandelson to this important diplomatic post and initially defended him in Parliament.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
Metsola defended the decision as consistent with parliamentary procedure and offered condolences.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Mark Hetfield, president of the refugee resettlement group HIAS, defended the existing global agreements as ensuring people would never be subject to persecution without an escape route.
—Ted Hesson, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Peskov on Friday also defended the joint military exercises that Russia is holding with Belarus this week, called Zapad-2025.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
During that season, the Yankees vehemently defended Kiner-Falefa’s defense, including calling him a top-five shortstop at one point.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
In the end, Mizzou defended its home territory and defeated Kansas 42-31.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
Verb
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Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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That’s because the First Amendment plays a unique role when the government is the employer, Collis explains — and the Supreme Court has ruled that if an employee is acting in a private capacity but speaking on a matter of public concern, they’re protected.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The senior editor for the free speech absolutist Reason magazine said her firing was fully justified as being due to journalistic malpractice.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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In the YouGov survey conducted in the immediate aftermath of the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 72 percent of Americans said violence is never justified, while 11 percent said it can sometimes be justified.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Our spirits remain guarded, but high, for this one; the Venice Film Festival crowd seemed to eat it up.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
3 Sep. 2024
-
Especially in your portrayal of Jane, who is very guarded.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
15 June 2024
Verb
-
But even as new tools and strategies emerge to quiet the seas, the legal foundation that has long safeguarded marine life is under pressure.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Data in motion is safeguarded through end-to-end encryption with TLS or SSL, while intellectual property at rest is shielded with hashing and tokenization.—
Nagesh Nama,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even when submarines employed advanced decoys or drones to confuse the search, the AI maintained its pursuit, adapting in real time to stay on target.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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The result is a collection that maintained the essence of IVY moda’s DNA while boldly stepping into new territory and appealing to a new generation of fashion fans.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman and John Turturro all secured nominations in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category; meanwhile, Patricia Arquette is competing for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
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Despite questions surrounding his confirmation, Hegseth secured support in January from all but three Republicans to become Defense secretary with a 51-50 vote as Vice President JD Vance broke the tie.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If interactions with critical analysts help executives build credibility, then their companies should be somewhat shielded from this negative spill-over effect.—
Joseph Brazel,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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But even on a night when Roberts somewhat shielded his closer, the moment found him anyway.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In January, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld legislation requiring ByteDance to divest or face a nationwide ban.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
If the 12-match ban is upheld, Berthoumieu will miss France’s upcoming semifinal against England on Saturday and either the bronze medal game or the final on September 27 as well as a further 10 matches in her domestic championship.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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