1
as in protecting
to drive danger or attack away from
a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifying
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defending
Just as significantly, Anunoby spent much of Tuesday night defending Jalen Johnson, the resurgent Hawks’ only All-Star, who finished with a modest 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Then Quentin Davie, the new coach of defending champion Hebron Christian and a close friend, called with an opportunity to join his staff.
—Jack Leo, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Kimmel responded on his show the following Monday, defending the joke.
—Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
The Justice Department and those defending the administration have argued that TPS is supposed to provide temporary relief from deportation.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Borquez is also a top hurdler and defending state champion JJ Harel of Notre Dame will be in the high jump.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
No quarterback will be watched more than Josh Hoover, who takes over for Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at defending national champion Indiana.
—Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Magro now takes on the defending state champion, William Freshwater of Barron Collier (Naples), in an individual singles bracket semifinal Tuesday morning.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
The Bears took control with a 5-0 outburst in the third quarter for a 12-7 advantage over the defending champions.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Then Quentin Davie, the new coach of defending champion Hebron Christian and a close friend, called with an opportunity to join his staff.
—Jack Leo, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Kimmel responded on his show the following Monday, defending the joke.
—Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
The Justice Department and those defending the administration have argued that TPS is supposed to provide temporary relief from deportation.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Borquez is also a top hurdler and defending state champion JJ Harel of Notre Dame will be in the high jump.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
No quarterback will be watched more than Josh Hoover, who takes over for Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at defending national champion Indiana.
—Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Magro now takes on the defending state champion, William Freshwater of Barron Collier (Naples), in an individual singles bracket semifinal Tuesday morning.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
The Bears took control with a 5-0 outburst in the third quarter for a 12-7 advantage over the defending champions.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defending
Verb
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Once the clearance dropped back toward the edge of the area, however, his focus immediately shifted from defending the cross to protecting the goal.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
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Surveying the space they’re tasked with protecting, the two men grouse about the incessant noise of FedEx workers packing up storefronts on rolling large cardboard boxes toward the exits.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
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Military technology has become more sophisticated, but the minds justifying its use are stuck in the past.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, thanks to the efforts of courageous youth advocates, there is hope in safeguarding youth health.—
Jad Abdel Nour,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
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For now, the Prado is not exhibiting the work so much as safeguarding it, turning a private divorce into a public custody battle over one of the few Velázquez paintings still outside institutional hands.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Self-cleaning and self-maintaining public restrooms do exist, and other communities in the nation use them.—
Michael Perkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
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The briefing was different in the sense that Rubio effectively answered foreign policy questions while maintaining a lighthearted, playful composure with the press corps.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Even those were somewhat unlocked by Minnesota’s injuries; Johnson no longer had Edwards guarding him by Games 5 and 6, enabling Denver to attack a mismatch.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
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Bartholomew was shot and killed inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital Saturday morning while guarding someone in custody.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Even outside of the realm of images, and speaking more generally to all professional practices in PR and advertising, truth is vital to upholding professional credibility.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
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Under the county charter, the executive’s responsibilities include overseeing the county’s municipal departments, correcting errors in tax assessments, executing certain contracts, upholding the county charter and representing the county in general.—
Ilana Arougheti
May 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Expanding access to high-quality early education, supporting the workforce behind it, and giving families clearer information is all part of the solution.—
Tina Dello Russo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
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In general, Korean skin care is often formulated with lower-irritation potential and barrier-supporting ingredients, which can be helpful if your skin concerns include dull skin or working toward a more even skin tone—especially for those with sensitive skin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defending. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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