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
Relevance
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
The defending Western Conference champs pick up Quaintance, a defensive-minded bruiser with size and athleticism who projects to be a center or power forward on the next level.
—
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 24 June 2026
When the odds opened for the upcoming title fight, the defending champ was a -300 favorite over the +250 challenger.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Jordan finishes the group stage Saturday against defending champion Argentina.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
Belgium defeated the defending champions in the opening game of the 1982 tournament.
—Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 23 June 2026
White isn’t arguing that every controversial comment is smart, helpful or worth defending on the merits.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
The defending champions are moving on while a debutant was eliminated following Monday night’s World Cup match at Levi’s Stadium.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
In stoppage time Fabio Quagliarella scored again for Italy, but the defending champion ultimately fell short and finished last in the group.
—Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 June 2026
The Inter Miami captain scored a hat trick for defending World Cup champion Argentina in a 3-0 rout of Algeria in their tournament opener.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 24 June 2026
When the odds opened for the upcoming title fight, the defending champ was a -300 favorite over the +250 challenger.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Jordan finishes the group stage Saturday against defending champion Argentina.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
Belgium defeated the defending champions in the opening game of the 1982 tournament.
—Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 23 June 2026
White isn’t arguing that every controversial comment is smart, helpful or worth defending on the merits.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
The defending champions are moving on while a debutant was eliminated following Monday night’s World Cup match at Levi’s Stadium.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
In stoppage time Fabio Quagliarella scored again for Italy, but the defending champion ultimately fell short and finished last in the group.
—Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 June 2026
The Inter Miami captain scored a hat trick for defending World Cup champion Argentina in a 3-0 rout of Algeria in their tournament opener.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defending
Verb
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Martha Lopez-Anderson is executive director of Parent Heart Watch, a nonprofit based in Orlando that is dedicated to protecting children and young adults from sudden cardiac arrest and preventable sudden cardiac death by educating and advocating for change.—
Martha Lopez-Anderson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2026
-
Khalil trained a generation of volunteers in ecological conservation, protecting the Mediterranean coastline and the endangered sea turtles that travel hundreds of miles to return to the same beaches where they were hatched to lay their eggs.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
21 June 2026
Verb
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This looser-fitting top sits right at the waistband and is made of a durable nylon and elastane blend that resists wear and tear (justifying the price point).—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
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Musk’s position that his two top holdings share a common AI vision gives him cover for justifying a deal.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Verb
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The focus here is not on withholding information, but on safeguarding the dignity of a child and allowing a grieving family the space and privacy to heal.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
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For years, freelance welfare professionals have been trusted with complex safeguarding responsibilities, often supporting vulnerable contributors through emotionally demanding situations.—
Emma Pringle,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The interceptor carries a small payload tailored for neutralizing drones and similar aerial targets while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
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Every fuel truck destroyed, ammunition convoy disrupted or logistics hub struck forces Russian commanders to expend additional time, resources and manpower simply maintaining battlefield operations.—
Hunter LaCroix,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Overnight on July 4, 2025, more than a dozen heavily armed antifa militants belonging to a Dallas-area antifa chapter ambushed Homeland Security personnel guarding the ICE holding site near Fort Worth.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
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For a player who spent most of the season guarding his face as tightly as his words, Brunson let the moment show.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The Haitian Bridge Alliance, a rights group that advocates for Haitians immigrants, urged the Supreme Court to reject the government’s ask to end TPS and affirm lower court’s rulings upholding the protections.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
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Almost every line feels like a dare to consider a deeper meaning than the mad realities of the gold rush and upholding a dying man’s wish.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Verb
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All proceeds to the sell-out show, which was simulcast on ESPN, benefited the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the MSG non-profit supporting children in need.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
20 June 2026
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Infantry attempting to move along the front, vehicle convoys transporting supplies, command posts coordinating operations, and artillery units supporting assaults are increasingly vulnerable to Ukrainian drone operators who can identify and strike targets with unprecedented speed and precision.—
Hunter LaCroix,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defending. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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