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
But naturally, Meredith can see right through this plan and refuses to get dragged into this mess — especially when Lisa is already starting to break down at the thought of Meredith not defending her.
—
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Then Vice President Cheney condemned those behind the torture scandal, while at the same time defending water-boarding as a useful means of extracting vital intelligence (many intelligence experts say water-boarding is torture, and its victims will say anything to avoid further abuse).
—Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Cheney was an architect of the Bush administration’s war on terror and its secret detention program, defending the use of waterboarding and other interrogation techniques.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
The defending champions and a great nation going head to head for ultimate baseball glory.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Cuyamaca is second-seeded among the men, while PCAC (and defending state) champion Mesa College is second-seeded in the women’s race.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
No negotiating the menu or defending your food choices.
—Essence, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Then Vice President Cheney condemned those behind the torture scandal, while at the same time defending water-boarding as a useful means of extracting vital intelligence (many intelligence experts say water-boarding is torture, and its victims will say anything to avoid further abuse).
—Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Cheney was an architect of the Bush administration’s war on terror and its secret detention program, defending the use of waterboarding and other interrogation techniques.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
The defending champions and a great nation going head to head for ultimate baseball glory.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Cuyamaca is second-seeded among the men, while PCAC (and defending state) champion Mesa College is second-seeded in the women’s race.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
No negotiating the menu or defending your food choices.
—Essence, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defending
Verb
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Viagen’s expertise in cryopreservation – reviving frozen genetic material for cloning – is vital to protecting and expanding endangered species, said Matt James, Colossal’s chief animal officer, in a news release announcing the acquisition.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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The wood-free Hyper Core composite walls are finished in automotive grade aluminum outer panels framed out via 11-gauge aluminum corner rails, protecting the trailer from low branches and flying debris.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Judge Ellis found that Bovino wasn’t hit in the head with a rock prior to deploying tear gas despite claims from the Department of Homeland Security justifying the use of force.—
Bill Kirkos,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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While working on the project, costs ballooned unexpectedly—reaching well over six figures—and this doctrine became an important reminder when justifying the expenses.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The latest specialist minehunting ship left Birkenhead last month to conduct sea trials and some training off the west coast of England and Scotland as the vessel begins its journey to front-line operations safeguarding home waters.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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In the name of safeguarding the secret mission of the spaceship, HAL kills the crew members.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As competitors resolve technical issues and new entrants pursue next-generation propulsion technologies, GE faces mounting pressure to invest heavily in R & D while maintaining its recent well-above-average margins.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
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While maintaining a healthy weight plays a role in mitigating cardiovascular and diabetes risk, the measurement alone overlooks the importance of muscle as a predictor of healthy aging and longevity.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The podcast allows Kylie to walk the line between sharing details about her family and guarding her privacy.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The job of guarding the opposition’s top offensive threat usually goes to Nelson.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His choices force Mickey to constantly balance protecting her family with upholding the law.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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Together, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of respect, safety, and integrity for all participants, staff, and stakeholders.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Fix the City, the PAC supporting Cuomo’s bid since the primary, spent millions on television ads for the former mayor and against Mamdani.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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Pet Loss At Home, an organization of mobile veterinarians providing end-of-life care in the comfort of home, suggested that people supporting a grieving friend can send memorial gifts and flowers, or print photos of the pet to send along with a personalized card.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defending. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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