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
The team went to the Eastern Conference finals last season after unexpectedly knocking off the defending world champion Boston Celtics in the second round before falling to the Indiana Pacers.
—
Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
The pop singer and humanitarian Sting has likewise spoken out about this concept in the past when defending his performance in Uzbekistan in 2009.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Newport Harbor is the defending champion for the tournament, which runs Thursday through Saturday at Harvard-Westlake.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
Facing defending champion Philadelphia on the road gives the Denver Broncos (+3000) a chance to earn an early signature win.
—Scott Phillips, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Most were focused on defending the state in court and protecting consumers.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2025
Grazer showed courage when defending her cubs.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
The defending Big 12 champions are coming off a massive 27-24 road win over Baylor, and this matchup could determine who’s the leading challenger to Texas Tech in the conference.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025
The defending champion was unfazed.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
The pop singer and humanitarian Sting has likewise spoken out about this concept in the past when defending his performance in Uzbekistan in 2009.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Newport Harbor is the defending champion for the tournament, which runs Thursday through Saturday at Harvard-Westlake.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
Facing defending champion Philadelphia on the road gives the Denver Broncos (+3000) a chance to earn an early signature win.
—Scott Phillips, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Most were focused on defending the state in court and protecting consumers.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2025
Grazer showed courage when defending her cubs.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
The defending Big 12 champions are coming off a massive 27-24 road win over Baylor, and this matchup could determine who’s the leading challenger to Texas Tech in the conference.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025
The defending champion was unfazed.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defending
Verb
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Flavonoid antioxidants found in pears can support heart health by reducing inflammation and protecting against cellular damage that contributes to heart disease.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
30 Sep. 2025
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That would theoretically limit any guard deployment to protecting federal buildings and monitoring immigration raids and arrests.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During the event, Dixon argued in favor of armed political action, while justifying it as self-defense against Nazis, fascists and White supremacists.—
Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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That was until Eric Adams stepped in with a rare veto on the council’s vote, justifying his decision by claiming that the Bronx should have the same odds to be chosen for a casino as other parts of New York City.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sarah Mullally will become the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church in January, a year after her predecessor resigned in a safeguarding scandal.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Official guidance includes safeguarding plants, animals and plumbing until temperatures stabilize.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Then, a mounting body of scientific evidence suggested that occasional burning is key to maintaining a healthy ecosystem in the park, leading park officials to implement a system of preventative burning.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
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The remakes will prioritize contemporary storytelling, elevated production values and fresh creative voices while maintaining the raw energy of the originals.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There’s a bar that’s stocked with bourbon, tequila, and moonshine and a couple of porcelain cheetahs guarding a cabinet full of old records.—
Sid Evans,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
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The world's smallest army, charged with guarding the pope and the Vatican, has a new look.—
Katie Kindelan,
ABC News,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Many of these regional partners are also building up their own advanced force projection capabilities and working more closely with Taipei on upholding freedom of navigation and maritime security.—
PHILIP H. GORDON,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Sep. 2025
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Kobick later said her ruling stood on independent grounds that remain intact in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Beautiful clean coal has been a reliable energy source supporting American communities and economic growth for generations.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Since winning the primary in June, Mamdani has taken steps to come toward moderate voters who have been lukewarm in supporting him.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defending. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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