as in protected
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1
as in guarded
to drive danger or attack away from
a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defended
Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 May 2026
As in traditional sieges, the focus is on the vulnerable flow of supplies rather than a defended position.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 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
The extended range allows aircraft to strike without entering heavily defended zones, reducing risk to pilots and platforms.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 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
In 11 games for Wisconsin, Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Bryan Preston, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
The president of the European Council, comprised of member states’ governments, defended his decision to open diplomatic communications with the Kremlin after the leaders of France and Germany criticized the decision.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 June 2026
González defended the oversight system and said the allegations against Domenech are false.
—Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
Kelly defended the decision to dismiss the criminal charges filed against Tomlinson following the traffic stop.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Switzerland more than doubled Bosnia and Herzegovina’s possession in the first half, but did little with it as their fellow UEFA opponent defended with numbers in hopes of pouncing on counterattacks.
—Josh Gross, Oc Register, 18 June 2026
The pair defended the measure’s stricter voting thresholds as a necessary check on government power, asserting that taxpayers deserve the ultimate say at the ballot box before taking on new financial burdens.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Pratt defended a conspiracy theorist who had made the claim.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
In a video released Thursday night, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt, head football coach Joey McGuire and other university officials defended the school’s right to play Sorsby.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 June 2026
Adjective
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
As in traditional sieges, the focus is on the vulnerable flow of supplies rather than a defended position.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 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
The extended range allows aircraft to strike without entering heavily defended zones, reducing risk to pilots and platforms.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 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
In 11 games for Wisconsin, Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Netherlands dominated possession while Japan sat back and defended.
—Bryan Preston, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
The president of the European Council, comprised of member states’ governments, defended his decision to open diplomatic communications with the Kremlin after the leaders of France and Germany criticized the decision.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 June 2026
González defended the oversight system and said the allegations against Domenech are false.
—Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
Kelly defended the decision to dismiss the criminal charges filed against Tomlinson following the traffic stop.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Switzerland more than doubled Bosnia and Herzegovina’s possession in the first half, but did little with it as their fellow UEFA opponent defended with numbers in hopes of pouncing on counterattacks.
—Josh Gross, Oc Register, 18 June 2026
The pair defended the measure’s stricter voting thresholds as a necessary check on government power, asserting that taxpayers deserve the ultimate say at the ballot box before taking on new financial burdens.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Pratt defended a conspiracy theorist who had made the claim.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
In a video released Thursday night, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt, head football coach Joey McGuire and other university officials defended the school’s right to play Sorsby.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
Adjective
-
And yet Sazan is also a protected area.—
Marzio G. Mian,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
-
The southern coast of Tenerife is a hotspot environment for the conservation of cetaceans in the wild, particularly within the protected Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Ever since they've been excited about the day, but understandably guarded.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
Even so, Dreyer voices guarded optimism.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Dual class share structures at Alphabet and Meta have been justified on precisely these grounds, and Musk has argued that the listing’s design will protect SpaceX’s long-term vision from activist pressure for more immediate profits.—
Mary Johnstone-Louis,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
The officer in that case was acquitted of criminal charges and found justified in his use of force by a review board.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Claire Pease, 17, secured individual all-around gold, adding to her team gold.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Security at the Kansas City Fan Festival, being held on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, is to include metal detectors, a secured perimeter, entrance with clear bags, and access to the festival using a mobile app.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Each generation inherits the task of shaping its own era, of guiding history to become a place where the dignity of every person is safeguarded, justice is promoted and fraternity is made possible.—
Pope Leo XIV,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
-
The veil has been torn from belief that marine choke points can be safeguarded, with international access kept open, by proximity of conventional forces.—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
As the investigation continued, evidence emerged that directly contradicted original theories that Jason Hobby had started or maintained the Alexander Mountain Fire.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
In the end, Switzerland maintained 62% possession with seven shots on goal, compared with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s three.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The pipe welding certificate program will focus on gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and shielded metal arc welding, according to the ECC website.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
The team believes that the technology could become highly valuable in reactor research, post-irradiation examinations, and nuclear forensics investigations that involve shielded and hazardous materials.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Moreover, the federal government has consistently upheld Tohono O’odham land rights.—
Geraldo L. Cadava,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
-
Iran’s team departs for talks as uncertainty grows Negotiations toward a final agreement will begin once key commitments are upheld, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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