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
Newcastle face the toughest task, playing defending European champions PSG in Paris knowing even a win won’t guarantee them a top-eight spot because of goal difference potentially coming into play.
—
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
But Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has refused to budge, defending blue slips as a core component of the Senate’s constitutional role in providing advice and consent.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
With 101 World Cup victories and 16 Crystal Globes already on her resume, Shiffrin is defending a monopoly on excellence.
—Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
After saying a Hail Mary or two, Dallas would meet the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers for the first of three meetings between the two teams in the Super Bowl.
—R.j. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Experts said advocates on all sides of the gun debate have found common ground in defending Pretti.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Argentina is the defending champion.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Valentine, Andrews’ ninth LP, offers a conditional yes—not by pining for anyone in particular, but by fiercely defending the right to pine.
—Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
On Saturday, January 31, Penn State's men's team will host two-time defending NCAA champion Michigan State.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
But Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has refused to budge, defending blue slips as a core component of the Senate’s constitutional role in providing advice and consent.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
With 101 World Cup victories and 16 Crystal Globes already on her resume, Shiffrin is defending a monopoly on excellence.
—Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
After saying a Hail Mary or two, Dallas would meet the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers for the first of three meetings between the two teams in the Super Bowl.
—R.j. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Experts said advocates on all sides of the gun debate have found common ground in defending Pretti.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Argentina is the defending champion.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Valentine, Andrews’ ninth LP, offers a conditional yes—not by pining for anyone in particular, but by fiercely defending the right to pine.
—Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
On Saturday, January 31, Penn State's men's team will host two-time defending NCAA champion Michigan State.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defending
Verb
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Our students, families, and taxpayers deserve leaders who put the best interests of the community first, not individuals who appear focused on protecting one another instead of protecting the integrity of our school system.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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But many environmental experts, including Earthjustice senior attorney Mychal Ozaeta, say the proposal caters to the coal industry rather than protecting communities.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Husband-chef and wife-farmer duo Kyle and Katina Connaughton are culinary dynamos who create pure magic on every plate served at SingleThread, more than justifying the lengthy waitlist for reservations.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
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In justifying the need for the county’s investment, county Commissioner Andrew Sommerman noted the burden homeless individuals are placing on the jail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s buses and trains, and the Parkland Hospital emergency department.—
Tracey McManus,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This has a better chance of safeguarding the duty‑free retail model and ensuring policymakers understand the channel’s economic contribution.—
Kevin Rozario,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The two also share a passion for cinemas, as Scott recently shared in a profile with Rolling Stone the importance of safeguarding the theatergoing experience.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Moore has 14 salt trucks and 10 plow trucks ready to go, but as February approaches, a key ingredient in maintaining roads is running low.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
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Elsewhere, law enforcement leaders, civil rights advocates and other legal experts have decried how ICE agents and other federal officers have been flouting best practices when making street arrests, conducting crowd control and maintaining public safety amid mass protests.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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People will also be asking who has a building big enough for our subset group of archivists documenting, artists making things, community organizers gathering, professors panicking, singers singing, parents guarding in order to gather us together again.—
Angela Pelster,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Longtime American allies who have been guarding tens of thousands of Islamic State fighters and their families agreed this week to be integrated into the Syrian armed forces.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In upholding Sjostrom’s ruling on the non-resident petition gatherers issue, the appeals court offered similar reasoning as in its decision about the inactive-voters issue.—
Jim Saunders,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
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Since 1972, the Kerrville Folk Festival has been upholding the spirit of grassroots Texas music camaraderie.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The chair of the Federal Reserve is tasked with combating inflation in the United States while also supporting maximum employment.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Irving was caught when the State Police got a tip on May 29, 2025, from the smartphone messaging company Kik, which reported that three files shared on its platform appeared to be child pornography, according to a law enforcement affidavit supporting the charge.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defending. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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