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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of defends
Founded in 1922, PEN America is a writers’ and free-expression advocacy group that defends the rights of authors and opposes censorship.
—
Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
The Economist defends its policy of not using bylines as tradition, citing the fact many of their articles are the product of collaborations between writers and taking the Ochsian view that what is written is more important than who writes it.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Matriarchy is a force that protects and defends, a force blunted and downgraded at every turn.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
This support among white Christian voters has held since the 2024 election, with two-thirds of white evangelicals saying Trump defends people with religious beliefs similar to theirs, according to a Pew poll released Thursday.
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026
Forward Rieger Lorenz #14 of the Denver Pioneers brings the puck up ice as defenseman Luca Fantilli #63 of the Michigan Wolverines defends on Thursday night.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
No one takes shots at the net and defends them like these guys.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Karp regularly defends Palantir when the company is criticized for providing tools used to surveil immigrants and Americans.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Amazon's Andy Jassy defends Amazon’s $200B spending spree.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
The Economist defends its policy of not using bylines as tradition, citing the fact many of their articles are the product of collaborations between writers and taking the Ochsian view that what is written is more important than who writes it.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Matriarchy is a force that protects and defends, a force blunted and downgraded at every turn.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
This support among white Christian voters has held since the 2024 election, with two-thirds of white evangelicals saying Trump defends people with religious beliefs similar to theirs, according to a Pew poll released Thursday.
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026
Forward Rieger Lorenz #14 of the Denver Pioneers brings the puck up ice as defenseman Luca Fantilli #63 of the Michigan Wolverines defends on Thursday night.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
No one takes shots at the net and defends them like these guys.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Karp regularly defends Palantir when the company is criticized for providing tools used to surveil immigrants and Americans.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Amazon's Andy Jassy defends Amazon’s $200B spending spree.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
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City Council Speaker Julie Menin deserves credit for advancing legislation that protects synagogues, churches, mosques and other places of worship by deploying safety perimeters keeping protesters at a distance.—
Elliot Cosgrove,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Pro hairstylist Ryan Richman previously described this Briogeo cream as a lightweight, silicone-free heat-protectant cream that minimizes frizz, smooths hair, enhances shine, and protects against heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The bulls claim that trend justifies today’s valuations, and that EPS can keep rolling in double-digits while national income trudges at a nominal 5% or so.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
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For those willing to make the trip, the standard of care justifies every mile.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 5,100square-foot museum, designed in the shape of a wave, maintains a collection of vintage and signature surfboards that are rotated between displays.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The letter also alludes to potential legal action if the county upholds the policies in question.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
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If Magyar upholds his pledge to implement anti-corruption reforms in Hungary, that could also help repair the country’s relationship with the EU, since much of the tension in the relationship stemmed from the rise of corruption in Hungary, Végh said.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Take a few minutes to reset, then make one decision that supports both your stability and your peace moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The brand’s proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku supports stronger, healthier hair right at the root, while soothing botanicals like rosemary, green tea, and rice extract keep irritation in check.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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