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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of defended
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
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
Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Over the centuries she’s been branded a traitor, condemned as a nymphomaniac, diagnosed as a sociopath and — more recently — defended as a victim of circumstances.
—Phillipa Gregory, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett defended the city's response to gun violence after some suggested the state should take over crime watch in the city.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 4 Oct. 2025
Takaichi has ardently defended conservative family values.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
Bill Burr performed at the show’s opening night on Friday and later defended his appearance on his podcast, suggesting that the cultural exchange could have some benefit.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the operation during her daily briefing, framing it as both a constitutional and moral obligation for the president.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Colbert defended Trump during a press conference this week.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
This week, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson defended the decision to drop the case.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
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
Comedian Bill Burr also defended his decision to perform at Riyadh.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Over the centuries she’s been branded a traitor, condemned as a nymphomaniac, diagnosed as a sociopath and — more recently — defended as a victim of circumstances.
—Phillipa Gregory, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett defended the city's response to gun violence after some suggested the state should take over crime watch in the city.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 4 Oct. 2025
Takaichi has ardently defended conservative family values.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
Bill Burr performed at the show’s opening night on Friday and later defended his appearance on his podcast, suggesting that the cultural exchange could have some benefit.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the operation during her daily briefing, framing it as both a constitutional and moral obligation for the president.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Colbert defended Trump during a press conference this week.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
This week, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson defended the decision to drop the case.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
Verb
-
This ripper supports nearly every DVD format, including protected discs with CSS, region codes, and Sony ARccOS.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 Oct. 2025
-
That means the night skies in and around Capitol Reef are especially protected from star-obscuring light, so this playground of cliffs, arches, and canyons has some of the best stargazing in the country.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Just a kid… but the hype feels justified.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Friday’s strike came a day after the administration justified its previous strikes in a memo to lawmakers, some of whom have expressed concerns about an overreach of executive power.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora Gomez earned an Emmy nomination for her role as Mabel, a guarded and sarcastic millennial who strikes up an unexpected friendship with Charles and Oliver.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
Once sensitive information is shared, it must be carefully safeguarded.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
-
This ensures our culture is safeguarded despite the climate crisis, and is accessible to all Tuvaluans at home and abroad.—
Feleti Penitala Teo,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While the roads are well-maintained, the winding mountain sections require attentive driving, especially when leaf-peeping traffic increases.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Photograph Collection, which is maintained by University of Louisville Archives & Special Collections staff.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi advised Newsom in the early stages of his redistricting push and secured donor support.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The incident compromised their chances of winning the race as Chase Elliott capitalized on the situation and secured victory.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Her attorneys argued the agreement shielded her from prosecution.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
-
About a decade ago, amid Syria's civil war, volunteers built a small, underground amusement park so little ones could play, shielded from bombing and shelling.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Courts previously have upheld the legality of such laws.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The papers’ publication by The New York Times and later The Washington Post led to a landmark Supreme Court fight that upheld the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of the press.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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