Synonyms of defended

defended 1 of 2

adjective

as in protected

Related Words

• protected
• guarded
• secured
• shielded
• safeguarded
• secure
• defensible
• tenable
• unassailable
• defendable
• invincible
• inviolable
• invulnerable
• impregnable
• bulletproof
• unbeatable
• indomitable
• untouchable
• unconquerable

Dissimilar Words

• indefensible
• untenable
• vulnerable
• liable
• open
• susceptible
• exposed
• unprotected
• undefended
• unguarded
• insecure
• unsecured
• weak
• helpless
• powerless
• defenseless
• vincible
• imperiled
• assailable

defended

2 of 2

verb

past tense of defend

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

• protected
• guarded
• safeguarded
• shielded
• fended
• secured
• kept
• warded
• fenced
• screened
• prevented
• saved
• bulwarked
• covered
• opposed
• stood up for
• forfended
• preserved
• resisted
• withstood
• contended
• fought
• conserved
• averted
• warred
• battled
• picketed
• buffered
• walled
• palisaded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacked
• assailed
• assaulted
• stormed
• bombarded
• submitted
• besieged
• beset
• yielded
• overran
• caved
• capitulated

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

• justified
• maintained
• upheld
• supported
• advocated
• asserted
• affirmed
• proclaimed
• championed
• discussed
• confirmed
• argued
• insisted
• stuck up for
• stated
• protested
• contended
• stood up for
• vindicated
• espoused
• pleaded
• claimed
• emphasized
• debated
• averred
• professed
• warranted
• underscored
• underlined
• stressed
• avowed
• avouched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdrew
• abandoned
• retracted
• reversed
• forsook
• switched
• recanted
• refuted
• took back
• rebutted
• abjured
• disproved
• controverted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defended

Adjective

The idea is to give aircraft another long-range weapon for attacking high-value or time-sensitive targets while keeping those aircraft farther from heavily defended areas. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026

The city is part of Ukraine’s Fortress Belt, a series of heavily defended cities that Russia must overcome to advance farther into the region. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

The line of four large and heavily defended cities, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) long, has been key to denying Moscow its goal of seizing Ukraine's industrial heartland. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 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

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

Verb

For example, O’Donnell has staunchly defended Israel and condemned bigotry. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

The secretary general of the nine-member electoral council, Nemrod Sanon visited North Miami this week and defended the changes to the electoral framework. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

The spokesperson defended China's religious policies, saying the government protects freedom of religious belief under Chinese law and does not interfere in religious groups' internal affairs. — Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

When asked about his threat to prosecute her over his demand for two-party consent — a Maryland statute under which all parties must consent to be recorded in private settings — Harris defended his words. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2026

The filing, which follows formal opposition filed on behalf of five Buss siblings last week that defended their right to vote to sell the team, asks the court to dismiss Jeanie’s petition or deny it in its entirety. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Brattin voted for the bill that changed the state’s maps, and vigorously defended it in lawsuits, press conferences and on social media. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Houston attorney Dan Cogdell, who defended Paxton in his 2023 impeachment trial, endorsed Talarico for Senate. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026

But the week of action also drew a counter-response from figures who disputed the allegations and defended the seven men named in the lawsuit. — Jeannine Chiang, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026