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

That additional space supports higher burnout velocity and helps expand the interceptor’s defended area. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026

The line of four large and heavily defended cities, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) long, has been key to denying Moscow its goal of seizing Ukraine's industrial heartland. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 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

The 48-year-old just fiercely defended him in a lengthy statement to UsWeekly. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

The Department of Homeland Security has defended its actions, telling CNN in a statement that those deported received due process and had final orders of removal. — Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

El-Sayed has campaigned on the Michigan campus with Amir Makled, a lawyer who defended the protesters and who has shared anti-Semitic and pro-Hezbollah social-media posts. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Chase Lloyd recorded two interceptions last year, while Ah’Mare Lee finished with an interception and 12 passes defended. — John Devine, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Wiener defended the narrower bill and argued opponents were faulting it for not going far enough rather than focusing on what the bill would do. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

At a news conference Wednesday, Newsom defended his plan, which also includes limiting the fees of attorneys in wildfire litigation and stopping hedge funds from profiting on the claims. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

King steadfastly defended the district at the June hearing, responding to multiple committee questions by stating that CPS’ guidelines comply with Illinois law and highlighting its commitment to equity. — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

Rebecca Wright Stevens defended a man accused of killing two Alaskan Indigenous women. — Mackenzie Farkus, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026