as in protected
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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
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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
Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 6 June 2026
The Knicks center is now 8-for-13 when defended by Wembanyama in the series.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
Vegas coach John Tortorella again defended Hart’s play when asked how the goalie was handling the situation.
—ABC News, 5 June 2026
The administration has defended the fund as open to everyone.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Earlier this month at Backlash, Roman Reigns defeated Jacob Fatu to retain the World Heavyweight Championship while Bron Breakker beat Seth Rollins and Trick Williams successfully defended his United States Championship against Sami Zayn.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
But Valli defended his decision to stay on the road.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2026
The drugmakers have defended their products.
—Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026
However, Johnny Cash defended him from his on-screen brother's criticism.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 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
Throughout his campaign, Mellor has defended his record as a Marine veteran, ties to Flynn and his participation in the January 6, 2021 pro-Trump march that turned into a riot.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 6 June 2026
The Knicks center is now 8-for-13 when defended by Wembanyama in the series.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
Vegas coach John Tortorella again defended Hart’s play when asked how the goalie was handling the situation.
—ABC News, 5 June 2026
The administration has defended the fund as open to everyone.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Earlier this month at Backlash, Roman Reigns defeated Jacob Fatu to retain the World Heavyweight Championship while Bron Breakker beat Seth Rollins and Trick Williams successfully defended his United States Championship against Sami Zayn.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
But Valli defended his decision to stay on the road.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2026
The drugmakers have defended their products.
—Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026
However, Johnny Cash defended him from his on-screen brother's criticism.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
Adjective
-
Clara Koh, Meta’s director of public policy for Southeast Asia, had cautioned in April that Malaysia's blanket under-16 ban could backfire by driving teenagers away from protected apps and into unregulated corners of the internet.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
-
Clara Koh, Meta’s director of public policy for Southeast Asia, has cautioned that Malaysia’s under-16 ban could backfire by driving teenagers away from protected apps and into unregulated corners of the internet.—
Eileen Ng,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
If answers feel guarded, believe that.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Over several days in the country, the trip — Stefano Ricci’s ninth — spanned the Tarangire region guarded by the Maasai, and the Serengeti national park with its rich wildlife, including leopards and families of lions and lionesses and their cubs appearing in campaign imagery.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
But Braves manager Walt Weiss penciled in Mauricio Dubón again at shortstop Friday night, and Dubón once again justified his faith.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
6 June 2026
-
Star City intended to ask the town for exemptions from several zoning rules, but argued that the request was justified because the tract is best used for housing despite being close to the Berlin Turnpike.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
As if to emphasize that point, Bass secured support from some of Raman’s political allies.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Nelson also oversaw the disbursement of millions in grants to local counties to strengthen election integrity and secured funding for a military ballot-security initiative that will roll out for the upcoming General Election.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Asylum seekers should be protected, families must remain together, and workers should be safeguarded from exploitation.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Another in 2024 accused the company of failing to keep equipment properly maintained and for failing to report a breakdown in a blending kettle, records show.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Yet that is not down to Guimaraes; the Brazilian has maintained his standards and, to a degree, somehow arguably even raised them.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The ship itself is packed with detail from turrets through to tiny shielded hangars.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Vegas coach John Tortorella challenged the call, but it was upheld after a video review.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
6 June 2026
-
The Colorado Court of Appeals reversed the criminally negligent homicide convictions on June 4, but upheld Cichuniec's separate conviction for second-degree felony assault.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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