as in protected
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
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
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
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
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
Eric Nehm, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Quagliano has repeatedly denied that and defended the bank’s aircraft business as profitable.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
While many key figures—including Bush and then-Secretary of State Colin Powell—later expressed regret over the absence of WMDs and policy missteps, Cheney famously defended the invasion and the narrative around it in the following years.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Duffy called on Democrats to end the shutdown and defended the decision to cut flights.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
At the time of the incident, DHS defended Bovino's actions saying that a Border Patrol transport van transporting undocumented immigrants was attacked by demonstrators.
—James Hill, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
At the same time, Kelce defended the play regardless of how it’s officiated.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye also defended his offensive line this week, saying the majority of the 34 times he’s been sacked have been his fault.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Earlier this month, the songwriter defended their age gap in the comments of an Instagram post shared by Cruz’s mom, Victoria.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The preservation was so exceptional that the researchers could identify countershading patterns, indicating this armored dinosaur relied on camouflage despite its heavily defended appearance.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
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
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
Verb
Just over a minute later, Kuzma tried to toss Antetokounmpo another alley-oop, but the Bulls defended it well and took away the rim.
—Eric Nehm, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Quagliano has repeatedly denied that and defended the bank’s aircraft business as profitable.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
While many key figures—including Bush and then-Secretary of State Colin Powell—later expressed regret over the absence of WMDs and policy missteps, Cheney famously defended the invasion and the narrative around it in the following years.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Duffy called on Democrats to end the shutdown and defended the decision to cut flights.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
At the time of the incident, DHS defended Bovino's actions saying that a Border Patrol transport van transporting undocumented immigrants was attacked by demonstrators.
—James Hill, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
At the same time, Kelce defended the play regardless of how it’s officiated.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye also defended his offensive line this week, saying the majority of the 34 times he’s been sacked have been his fault.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Earlier this month, the songwriter defended their age gap in the comments of an Instagram post shared by Cruz’s mom, Victoria.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
Adjective
-
Oregon lawmakers added gender identity as a protected class under state anti-discrimination law in 2021.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Deutsch explained that architects have found lowering a ceiling makes a person feel more protected and comfortable.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The account was not guarded by an extra layer of security known as multi-factor authentication.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The names of the betrayersare a secret carefully guarded by Cacique and the group called Caribe, a loose grouping of about 3,000 Venezuelan military personnel who have deserted the regime’s ranks and from abroad are trying to coordinate to overthrow Maduro.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But his approach was justified with a surprising 9-7 finish in his first season.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Or is she justified in refusing to take more blame than war, governments, or the ocean itself?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Less secured bonds in Saks Global financing were trading below 9 cents on the dollar.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
23 Dec. 2025
-
Advertisement Finally, following the success of Decision to Leave, Park secured funding for his adaptation of The Ax—but for a Korean version of the film.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Covered entities must clearly explain how protected health information is used and safeguarded.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
-
In that collection, over 100 scientists from four continents explain how frogs, trees, ducks and lions stand to benefit when refugia in their habitats are identified and safeguarded.—
Diana Stralberg,
The Conversation,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Over the next decade, Wuornos grew increasingly religious and maintained correspondence with Australian artist Jasmine Hirst, whose letters and interviews appear throughout the documentary.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Magic maintained a 59-51 lead at half, but Boston pulled even early in the third after Minott drew a foul on an aggressive crash, and Pritchard picked Bane’s pocket and canned a three.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Reports about an assault surfaced on social media Wednesday, but exact details on the incident remain shielded as police investigate.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Oct. 2025
-
It is expected to deliver clearer imaging of dense, shielded materials like spent nuclear fuel, while also significantly enhancing nuclear safety.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
During the certification process, members of Congress have the opportunity to object to a state’s results, which triggers debate and then a vote about whether the objection is to be upheld.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The appeals court unanimously upheld Magnus-Stinson's ruling, agreeing that there was no evidence of an injury.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share