defended 1 of 2

defended

2 of 2

verb

past tense of defend

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defended
Adjective
Permissioned data governance, a defended interface, auditability, supervised execution—these are trust rendered as an operating system, engineered into the stack rather than carried in a relationship. Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Speaking at Fortune’s Workforce Innovation Summit on Tuesday, the 31-year-old defended sweeping workforce cuts at Bolt—including a recent layoff affecting roughly 30% of employees—as well as his decision to eliminate the company’s HR team. Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 May 2026 Some defended efforts by staff to correct the books, while others demanded answers on how the accounting error had gone unnoticed through three full audit cycles. Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 1 May 2026 The extended range allows aircraft to strike without entering heavily defended zones, reducing risk to pilots and platforms. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026 Private firefighting outfits defended companies, utilities, and ultrarich enclaves while other parts of the city burned. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025 Ringo recorded a defended pass and recovered the fumble Campbell forced. Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 In the first three games of the year, DeJean recorded 22 tackles and a defended pass. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 In 11 games for Wisconsin, Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
So far, Milei has defended his Cabinet chief, even as the scandal damaged his government’s public image, constrained his political leverage in negotiations with allies and undermined his communication about spending cuts to Argentines scraping by on salaries that increasingly fall behind inflation. Clara Preve, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 Legal counsel for the Department of Homeland Security defended the administration's actions, citing the long-standing effort to terminate the program. Joan Murray, CBS News, 27 June 2026 Trick Williams successfully defended his US Title, while Tiffany Stratton claimed the Women's US Title, marking a night of significant outcomes. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 Amid the scandal, one of Alannah's friends defended her on TikTok Monday. Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026 The district’s financial officials, however, defended their analysis. Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 26 June 2026 And every time someone brings up the Robin Hood legend — that the archer stole from the rich to give to the poor, and defended the weak against the powerful — Jackman gets a look on his face like someone farted. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026 The Netherlands dominated possession while Japan sat back and defended. Bryan Preston, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026 González defended the oversight system and said the allegations against Domenech are false. Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
Adjective
  • For example, Paris has an aesthetic aversion to window units and rooftop HVAC systems, which helps explain why installing air-conditioning typically requires special permission from authorities, especially in protected or historic areas.
    Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • Most of them encrypted files in non-protected folders, anywhere from a handful to 24,000.
    Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • In addition to the extra security guards milling about, many of the areas that were formerly open to the public were closed off by fences and guarded exits.
    Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • That model made sense when information asymmetry was real, industry databases were thin, founders raised locally and underwriting models were guarded like trade secrets.
    Peter Doyle, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Still, Calabrese says any kind of travel expenses should go through layers of approval and be properly justified.
    Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Will the high costs of running and using Fable be justified now that alternatives have emerged?
    Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Wissa added to his tally for Congo, who completed a 3-1 comeback against Uzbekistan and secured passage to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-place teams.
    NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
  • Certain secured debts, such as mortgages or auto loans, remain attached to the underlying collateral.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Regarding Jersey Mike's, the complaint says the chain should have safeguarded the sandwich in a sanitary and tamper-resistant manner.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • The report concluded that civilian infrastructure, civilian areas, and cultural heritage sites must be safeguarded.
    Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Attorneys involved in the case have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the vast majority of claims are valid.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Most access points are reached from the west side, coming through Meeker, and Grimes noted that despite the isolation, the gravel roads are well-maintained, meaning a passenger vehicle should get you to most trailheads.
    Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • The pipe welding certificate program will focus on gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and shielded metal arc welding, according to the ECC website.
    Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
  • The team believes that the technology could become highly valuable in reactor research, post-irradiation examinations, and nuclear forensics investigations that involve shielded and hazardous materials.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Another agreed that Judeo-Christian values should be upheld in the curriculum.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026
  • The decision is also something of a surprise to me, because the Supreme Court has recently upheld free exercise rights in multiple high-profile cases, almost all of which involve Christianity – such as a football coach’s ability to pray on the field after public school games.
    Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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