DEFENDING Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

defending

verb

present participle of defend

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defending Reports of a Funding Shortfall After months of silence, Romanian media reported in June that the Romanian state did not have sufficient funds to proceed with defending Barbosu's case at CAS. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The case has drawn political reactions from across the spectrum, with opposition politicians demanding full accountability and members of the governing coalition defending the officers involved. — Reuters, NBC news, 21 July 2026 James’s campaign did not immediately respond to the controversy, and Johnson has continued defending his posts on social media. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2026 Notably absent from this year’s field are defending champion Sabrina Ionescu, who set a contest record with 37 points (missing two of 27 shots) in the final round of her 2023 win, and Caitlin Clark. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 July 2026 Losing a World Cup final, especially as the defending champion, is hard. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 21 July 2026 Republicans are defending slim majorities in the House and Senate. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 This will be the first time the series documents the defending Super Bowl champion, focusing on the Seahawks training camp in Renton, Washington. — Matt Minton, Variety, 21 July 2026 Like a guardian of the absolute desert, Chile’s coastal mountain range sleeps a mineral slumber, the bluffs defending the driest desert in the world. — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defending

Verb

The bolts attaching this structure to the bottom of the spacecraft were then covered by plugs protecting them from the friction of re-entry.

— Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 16 July 2026
That was followed by the PUC approving ERCOT’s proposal on how to connect large electricity users such as AI data centers while protecting the reliability of the grid via provisions for LVRT and load smoothing.

— Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026

Definition of protecting

Verb

Kennedy made the changes unilaterally rather than going through a panel of experts, as has long been standard, and Spear wrote the accompanying report justifying the changes, according to three people familiar with the process.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
These figures are considerable for a hardware enterprise, justifying a high valuation.

— Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of justifying

Verb

During the Thursday stop, Abbott called for a roof fortification grant program, comparing the plan to roof-safeguarding programs that have been established in other states.

— Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
But that framing ignores a few factors, as was pointed out to Deadline by the leader of one suitor committed to safeguarding the company’s unique, cinephile-forward culture.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Definition of safeguarding

Verb

Mahan attributed the disorder to the scale and frequency of hosting 104 games across 39 days, while maintaining that the events and downtown remained safe overall.

— Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
The group, which included students, recommended expanding pathways to advanced learning while maintaining high expectations.

— Meisha Porter, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

Definition of maintaining

Verb

At trainings—held online, and in kitchens, basements, and alleyways—people were taught what to do if they were denied an acta, and how to handle the militares guarding the premises.

— Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
There is a scene where a couple of the characters who were guarding the portal had embroidery in their shoes.

— Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of guarding

Verb

Alford also commented on the recent Supreme Court decision upholding the long-standing interpretation that anyone born on American soil is an American citizen.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Last year, the Supreme Court struck its first blow against transgender rights by upholding a Tennessee law banning transgender care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, for minors.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of upholding

Verb

Protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber still play an important role in supporting muscle health, energy levels and digestion.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 15, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Proceeds from Art+Film are funneled to LACMA’s focus to make film central to the museum’s curatorial program while also supporting its broader mission with exhibitions, acquisitions, educational programming and more.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

Definition of supporting

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“Defending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defending. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of defending

verb

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