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

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 organization, at best, defended writers, in some circumstances, and only in some jurisdictions, from the right to protection from retaliation. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Collins defends record supporting Israel In a statement made to CNN by a Collins campaign spokesperson, the representative defended his record. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 17 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

Richer, also a Republican, relentlessly defended the legitimacy of the vote. — Josh Kelety, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Others have defended SpaceX, arguing that the changes will crack down on customers who cheat the system by using Starlink in unsupported countries, which criminals and scammers have been known to do. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 16 July 2026

The Modern Family star defended Swift and Kelce holding their wedding at MSG. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026

Two adults and a child were injured by falling debris in Qatar as the country defended against Iranian attacks, its Ministry of Interior said Sunday. — CNN Money, 12 July 2026