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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defended
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Schumer defended his stance, acknowledging the bill's flaws but arguing that a government shutdown would be worse.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
The same criticism has been directed to Biles, who’s defended herself against anti-Black comments about her flyaways—even after having a Vault move named after her at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 14 Mar. 2025
The vistors like to play at slower pace and run offense through post players Jaxon Nap and Trace Evans but the Sea Lions defended well without having to double team and leave open shooters.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
That’s how the Chiefs defended slot receivers last year.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
Civil-liberties organizations have defended neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan on the basis that, unless there is free speech for the most contemptible members of society, there cannot be free speech for all.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
Though Democrats were swept into the minority in the legislative and executive branch, New Democrats defended 85 of 87 seats and brought their membership up to 114.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
Davis recorded two interceptions and 11 passes defended last season while playing under new Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams in Detroit.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
This rivalry continued into Survivor Series 2012, where Punk defended his title in a triple threat match against Ryback and John Cena.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Schumer defended his stance, acknowledging the bill's flaws but arguing that a government shutdown would be worse.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
The same criticism has been directed to Biles, who’s defended herself against anti-Black comments about her flyaways—even after having a Vault move named after her at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 14 Mar. 2025
The vistors like to play at slower pace and run offense through post players Jaxon Nap and Trace Evans but the Sea Lions defended well without having to double team and leave open shooters.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
That’s how the Chiefs defended slot receivers last year.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
Civil-liberties organizations have defended neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan on the basis that, unless there is free speech for the most contemptible members of society, there cannot be free speech for all.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
Though Democrats were swept into the minority in the legislative and executive branch, New Democrats defended 85 of 87 seats and brought their membership up to 114.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
Davis recorded two interceptions and 11 passes defended last season while playing under new Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams in Detroit.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
Verb
-
Just as Warner Bros had given Jane’s true creative freedom, from their recording sessions to making their own videos, American facilitated and protected Deconstruction’s art.—
Aaron Gilbreath,
SPIN,
31 Dec. 2024
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For creators who haven't yet protected their intellectual property, trademark registration should be a priority for early 2025.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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We, the players (and the audience) are left to judge whether his actions were justified.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Therefore, an Artemis Alliance is justified as a necessary enforcement mechanism.—
Andrew Hanna,
Time,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Jennifer Kale is a witch who is very guarded and needs to learn how to trust people, and keeps getting tested on that over and over again throughout the show.—
Brande Victorian,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
-
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
Verb
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The defense firm maintained that the program is an opportunity to align with the Dutch government’s policy of support and empowerment of strategic national industries.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Cool-season lawns maintained at 3 to 4 inches tall have deeper root systems that are better able to withstand adverse conditions, such as drought.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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As Reuters reports, Indonesia's Ministry of Industry has upheld its ban on the iPhone 16 because Apple has yet to meet its domestic content rules.—
Jibin Joseph,
PCMAG,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Other coalitions are arguing the ban should be upheld, including former national security officials, former officials at the Federal Communications Commission and activist groups that advocate on behalf of the Uyghur people, people in Hong Kong and others against the Chinese government.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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