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
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
Inter Miami earned a bye as defending MLS champion.
—
Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The defending champions were relentless.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Linda Bilmes, a Harvard expert on the cost of wars, told me that the United States used up more than 20% of its entire worldwide stockpile of THAAD interceptors last year defending Israel during the 12-day war with Iran.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Andreeva, 18, entered the tournament as the defending champion, but her emotions got the best of her throughout her match with Siniakova.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
One of the nation’s most famous wartime shipwrecks is apparently still defending itself on the seafloor off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, researchers say.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Robust vaccine schedule Erica Pan, California’s top public health officer and director of the state Department of Public Health, said the West Coast Health Alliance is defending science by recommending a more robust vaccine schedule than the federal government.
—Angela Hart, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Overall Wimberley and Canyon Lake are a combined 36-3-1 with losses to each other and Wimberley had a season-opening tie to defending state champion Celina and a loss in the freezing cold to Amarillo.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
The more money Republicans need to spend defending Texas in the general, the less there will be for other battleground states.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The defending champions were relentless.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Linda Bilmes, a Harvard expert on the cost of wars, told me that the United States used up more than 20% of its entire worldwide stockpile of THAAD interceptors last year defending Israel during the 12-day war with Iran.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Andreeva, 18, entered the tournament as the defending champion, but her emotions got the best of her throughout her match with Siniakova.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
One of the nation’s most famous wartime shipwrecks is apparently still defending itself on the seafloor off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, researchers say.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Robust vaccine schedule Erica Pan, California’s top public health officer and director of the state Department of Public Health, said the West Coast Health Alliance is defending science by recommending a more robust vaccine schedule than the federal government.
—Angela Hart, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Overall Wimberley and Canyon Lake are a combined 36-3-1 with losses to each other and Wimberley had a season-opening tie to defending state champion Celina and a loss in the freezing cold to Amarillo.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
The more money Republicans need to spend defending Texas in the general, the less there will be for other battleground states.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defending
Verb
-
Your quick mind can broker peace between different opinions while still protecting your energy.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The analyst explained that as agentic AI becomes embedded across business operations, companies might prefer security tool consolidation for dealing with cyberattacks, as relying on conventional, fragmented tools may not be effective in protecting autonomous systems.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Neither the warrant nor the underlying affidavit justifying the warrant has been released.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
What’s old is new Third spaces have evolved to encompass specific purposes, justifying the price tag that often comes with them, since some membership clubs can thousands of dollars per month.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The complaints are being handled by Lindsay Brandon, the WTA’s director of safeguarding, according to two sources briefed on the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Since the founding of the United States of America, women’s central role in safeguarding democracy has been overlooked—even as women have consistently, generation after generation, worked to protect it.—
Celina Stewart,
Time,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Basij, a paramilitary volunteer militia under the umbrella of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is tasked with maintaining societal control.—
Robert Stewart,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Since inflammation is linked to common concerns like acne, rosacea, and eczema, maintaining healthy levels could play a small role in keeping skin looking more even and less irritated.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to regular forces, thousands of temporary police officers have been deployed, and army troops — generally confined to barracks — are patrolling streets and guarding polling stations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The Founders did not anticipate that lawmakers, instead of jealously guarding their legislative authority, would prefer to leave the president holding the bag in case military action turns out to be unpopular.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Until then, Polis must remain steadfast in upholding justice.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The order, Protecting the Rights and Well-Being of Baltimore City Residents, highlights the city's commitment to upholding the safety, dignity, and rights of all residents, the mayor said.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No, the actor, now 27 and recognized in the best supporting actress category for her sensitive turn in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, has actually—wait for it—already been working for a quarter of a century.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
-
From cushioned walking sneakers to sleek slip-ons and foldable flats, the brand boasts arch-supporting insoles enhanced with anti-odor technology to keep feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day long.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defending. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
