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 former president has bristled at the suggestion that his administration abused the autopen, defending himself in a July 13 New York Times interview.
—
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
On Monday night when the Mavs hosted the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center, his age showed.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
After shifting power to the people—like a year-plus bus boycott can do, for example—and getting the government to lessen its corruption, cruelty, injustice or violence, defending those gains is a must.
—Michael Shank, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Fast forward to Monday, and – after a 3-2 defeat to Brentford – Liverpool has now lost four straight games in the Premier League, just the fourth time in history that a defending champion has gone on such a poor run of form, per Opta.
—Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
In many ways, Trusty is reprising a similar role now in defending Rozier, calling into question the motivations of prosecutors.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Indecisive defending around the edge of the box and an unconvincing header by Maxim De Cuyper led to Matheus Cunha giving United a 24th-minute lead against the run of play with a curving shot.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
John Stamos is defending his former Full House costar Lori Loughlin for her part in the 2019 college admissions scandal, blaming her ex-husband Mossimo Giannulli.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
And some Republicans defending it.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
On Monday night when the Mavs hosted the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center, his age showed.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
After shifting power to the people—like a year-plus bus boycott can do, for example—and getting the government to lessen its corruption, cruelty, injustice or violence, defending those gains is a must.
—Michael Shank, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Fast forward to Monday, and – after a 3-2 defeat to Brentford – Liverpool has now lost four straight games in the Premier League, just the fourth time in history that a defending champion has gone on such a poor run of form, per Opta.
—Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
In many ways, Trusty is reprising a similar role now in defending Rozier, calling into question the motivations of prosecutors.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Indecisive defending around the edge of the box and an unconvincing header by Maxim De Cuyper led to Matheus Cunha giving United a 24th-minute lead against the run of play with a curving shot.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
John Stamos is defending his former Full House costar Lori Loughlin for her part in the 2019 college admissions scandal, blaming her ex-husband Mossimo Giannulli.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
And some Republicans defending it.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defending
Verb
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Gray was an advocate for protecting the dunes, even writing op-eds in local newspapers.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
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First, women have higher estrogen levels than men, and before menopause, estrogen may be protecting cardiovascular health—which in part may explain why women tend to develop heart events at later ages than men.—
Alice Park,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For now, Yamamoto is on top of the world, justifying every dollar of the $325 million investment the Dodgers made in him.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Giuffre takes an interest in Epstein’s own self-justifying attitude toward his crimes.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead of facing the bleak job market head-on, law school and MBA programs buy more time to figure out what’s next while safeguarding themselves against the technology.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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The Raine family’s lawsuit is one of at least three against AI companies accused of insufficiently safeguarding minors in their use of AI chatbots.—
Nikita Ostrovsky,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Borrowers can help their case by annually certifying their employment with an eligible public service employer and by maintaining records of their loan’s eligibility, repayment plan and monthly payments.—
Jennifer L. Steele,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
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The beauty, whose warmth was showcased previously during her days hosting on QVC, is known for maintaining a cheerful, positive demeanor, even amid challenges.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Miller was injured early in the second quarter while guarding Quentin Grimes, extending his arm trying to fight through a screen while slipping simultaneously on his left foot on a wet spot on the floor.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
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Lawrence, once an interview-show staple, has retreated from the spotlight in recent years, choosing her movie roles sparingly and closely guarding her private life.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By upholding his virtue and revealing the emptiness of evil, Ignatius Maloyan earned sainthood, joining the enduring Communion of witnesses.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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These convictions demonstrate the professionalism and dedication of Yosemite’s protection team in upholding federal regulations and ensuring the safety of both visitors and first responders.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plaintiffs argue the federal government is legally required to continue supporting SNAP, even amid the government shutdown.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Oct. 2025
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The organization has raised more than $20 million for charities supporting children in need over the past decade.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defending. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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