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
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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
Today, almost no American politician, Democrat or Republican, defends the World Trade Organization.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Gina Knapp defends District 5 Gina Knapp will remain on the Blue Valley School Board after defending her seat from two challengers, including a Blue Valley parent who launched a last-minute write-in campaign.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
However, the organization stands by its ethics and defends the legality of its methods.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
This conditioner can help restore strands to near virgin health with the help of arginine (a keratin building block that promotes growth) and astaxanthin (an antioxidant that defends against stress and damage).
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2025
Robinson defends that scenes of a flashback involving a young Bruce hitting his dad with a baseball bat, or another of a now-adult Springsteen sitting on his father’s lap after a show, all happened exactly as Springsteen described.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
Dern defends takedowns at 25 percent, and her comfort level on the ground could be her downfall if Jandiroba gets on top of her every round.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … LACKING PRINCIPLE – Principal defends teacher who mocked Kirk assassination at Chicago protest.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Draymond Green traditionally defends James, but should be able to slide over to Doncic at times.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Gina Knapp defends District 5 Gina Knapp will remain on the Blue Valley School Board after defending her seat from two challengers, including a Blue Valley parent who launched a last-minute write-in campaign.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
However, the organization stands by its ethics and defends the legality of its methods.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
This conditioner can help restore strands to near virgin health with the help of arginine (a keratin building block that promotes growth) and astaxanthin (an antioxidant that defends against stress and damage).
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2025
Robinson defends that scenes of a flashback involving a young Bruce hitting his dad with a baseball bat, or another of a now-adult Springsteen sitting on his father’s lap after a show, all happened exactly as Springsteen described.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
Dern defends takedowns at 25 percent, and her comfort level on the ground could be her downfall if Jandiroba gets on top of her every round.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … LACKING PRINCIPLE – Principal defends teacher who mocked Kirk assassination at Chicago protest.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Draymond Green traditionally defends James, but should be able to slide over to Doncic at times.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
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These comments are important because our government must place premium in creating a society that respects human lives, secures its borders and protects its citizens.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Spent foliage over the winter also protects the roots against cold.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Others think that the environmental and public health cost of fossil fuels justifies pushing for a new path forward — like a heavy investment into battery technology.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
4 Nov. 2025
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For Bangladesh, the potential catastrophe of not tackling cascading environmental challenges justifies the risk of alienating its far more powerful neighbor.—
Pintu Kumar Mahla,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Maldives also maintains a complete ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, regardless of age.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These attacks on universities are attempts to control thought, subdue social movements advocating for change and promote an orthodoxy that upholds those in power.—
Elizabeth Anne Wood,
The Conversation,
21 Oct. 2025
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The law upholds that commitment.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Therefore, the present work supports the belief that rational materials design at both the macro and atomic levels can solve long-standing challenges, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
These microorganisms are the base of a unique food chain that supports a community of cave-dwelling organisms.—
Humberto Basilio,
Scientific American,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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