1
as in protects
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 justifies
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 defends
In the case before the court, Mississippi defends late-arriving ballots, noting that the Constitution gives states the right to run their own elections.
—
Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026
Leo simultaneously defends the secrecy of confession as religious freedom, despite critics calling it an abuse shield, and sidesteps a meeting with ex-Opus Dei members amid Argentine investigations.
—Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, defends against Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, 2026, at Madison Square Garden.
—Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Wilson defends pole vault title Roseville senior Jayda Wilson also defended her title in the girls pole vault, winning with a height of 12-3.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
If Wembanyama defends Hart, this will be a major series for Towns, who will have either Castle, Vassell or Julian Champagnie guarding him.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The player who defends the goal and can use their hands inside the penalty area, also commonly called the keeper.
—Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026
The top two titles in all of WWE will be on the line as Raw’s Roman Reigns defends his World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu for the second time this month.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Rhea Ripley defends her title against Jade Cargill after a monthslong feud that began when Ripley won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026
Leo simultaneously defends the secrecy of confession as religious freedom, despite critics calling it an abuse shield, and sidesteps a meeting with ex-Opus Dei members amid Argentine investigations.
—Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, defends against Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, 2026, at Madison Square Garden.
—Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Wilson defends pole vault title Roseville senior Jayda Wilson also defended her title in the girls pole vault, winning with a height of 12-3.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
If Wembanyama defends Hart, this will be a major series for Towns, who will have either Castle, Vassell or Julian Champagnie guarding him.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The player who defends the goal and can use their hands inside the penalty area, also commonly called the keeper.
—Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026
The top two titles in all of WWE will be on the line as Raw’s Roman Reigns defends his World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu for the second time this month.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Rhea Ripley defends her title against Jade Cargill after a monthslong feud that began when Ripley won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
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That's because federal law generally protects Social Security retirement, disability and survivor benefits from garnishment by most private creditors.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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Texas also protects a variety of other wildlife, including bats, hawks, owls, whooping cranes and all species of sea turtles, according to TPWD.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Lestat justifies his, uh, connection with Gabriella by arguing that vampires transcend petty human concepts like conventional morality.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
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Each new layer of ambition justifies a higher valuation, but the economics have not yet caught up with the narrative.—
Rory McDonald,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The upswing in Colorado’s discipline wasn’t seen to the same degree nationwide, said Jimmy Adams, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, can organization that maintains a nationwide database of teacher license actions.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
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The Center for Retirement Research maintains a National Retirement Risk Index, which estimates how many workers are at risk of not keeping up their standard of living in retirement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Thrash, whose latest project is a benefit gala at the Palace of Versailles planned for June 8, upholds a long tradition of American philanthropy in support of French cultural institutions.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
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Islam, like Christianity, upholds the dignity of every human being and encourages dialogue and reconciliation over conflict.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Paige Sterling, a spokesperson for Mayor Karen Bass, said the mayor has worked hard to build affordable housing in the city and supports the construction of more, including in Venice.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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With the We’Raw technology, Isko provides a product that preserves the authentic raw aspects of denim—including color and shrinkage—and supports brands’ cut-and-sew approach.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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