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

Rather than flying directly over heavily defended targets, bombers carrying the AGM-181A are expected to launch the missile from long distances outside the engagement range of sophisticated enemy air defenses. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026

Every additional defended point becomes a resource allocation problem for Moscow. — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 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

In the first three games of the year, DeJean recorded 22 tackles and a defended pass. — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025

Verb

Hartig defended the institution and clapped back against the July 4 White House report. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026

The event recognized a Dodgers club that successfully defended its championship while surviving one of the toughest postseason tests in recent memory. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office on Thursday defended its decision to sue Kansas City over a contracting program using a plaintiff who had pleaded guilty to paying bribes for contracts years ago. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Isaac del Toro defended his white jersey, with the UAE Team Emirates rider crossing in seventh to retain his third place in GC. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Asked to respond to families’ concerns about losing trusted caregivers, and asked whether the protections could be extended further, a DHS spokesperson defended the decision to end TPS for Haiti. — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Sheinbaum has defended him, claiming that the indictment lacks evidence. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Ireland defended against more than 20 phases of All Blacks attacks around the 70th minute, but its defense broke again to allow a last try to New Zealand center Anton Lienert-Brown in the 79th minute. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

The redshirt junior ranked fourth in the Big 12 among cornerbacks in passes defended (8). — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026