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 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

That additional space supports higher burnout velocity and helps expand the interceptor’s defended area. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 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

Ringo recorded a defended pass and recovered the fumble Campbell forced. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

Verb

Kid Cudi defended his decision to perform with his longtime friend and controversial musician, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), after some fans and critics expressed disappointment. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026

Bass defended her proposal to cut the climate office amid the budget crunch, which the City Council rejected. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The accusations were countered robustly the next day by Monaco’s chief executive Thiago Scuro, who defended both the club’s right to pull the plug on Camara’s Chelsea deal and Balogun’s right to jilt Everton. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

George Clooney has also defended Ruffalo’s right to speak out while stopping short of endorsing all of his claims. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026

Speaking Thursday in Vienna, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi defended his country's right to make its own decisions. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office, which intervened in the lawsuit and defended state laws at a bench trial in June, appealed Winmill’s decision to the 9th Circuit days after his order. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026

Last year, before Mullin became secretary, the agency defended requests for funding to replace one of the planes. — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel defended the technology as an important public safety tool in a statement to Fox News Digital last month. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026