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
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 defends
Milrem Robotics has introduced a new plan that could change how NATO defends its eastern border.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 June 2026
Continue reading … SELENE RODRIGUEZ & AMMON BLAIR — While Mexico defends ‘sovereignty,’ cartels import a flesh-eating parasite into Texas.
—FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
Hajime Moriyasu sets the team up in a 3-4-2-1 that defends in a compact 4-3-3 (or 4-4-2) before breaking at pace after regaining possession.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 June 2026
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
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
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 June 2026
Continue reading … SELENE RODRIGUEZ & AMMON BLAIR — While Mexico defends ‘sovereignty,’ cartels import a flesh-eating parasite into Texas.
—FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
Hajime Moriyasu sets the team up in a 3-4-2-1 that defends in a compact 4-3-3 (or 4-4-2) before breaking at pace after regaining possession.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
-
That disincentivizes physical attacks (such as cold-boot attacks) and better protects user data.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
22 June 2026
-
Curbing an infectious disease abroad protects health at home, reducing the risk of cross-border transmission and lowering the chance of new, costlier public health threats.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Investors gradually stop asking what the business is worth and begin assuming that quality itself justifies any price.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
The teams will also detail specific marine architecture demands and execute an extensive financial evaluation to confirm whether the cost per kilowatt justifies continued development.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The company leases the roof to a third-party solar company that operates and maintains the solar array.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
On a broader scale, Elementl maintains a corporate strategy to facilitate the addition of more than 100 gigawatts of carbon-free electricity to the United States power grid by the year 2050.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
With locations in Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Wheeling, and Chicago, Avenues supports individuals with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities and is committed to long-term care, community integration, and disability advocacy.—
Gina Grillo,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
-
Flat printing followed by folding supports efficient transport and on-site assembly, potentially transforming how large-scale components are manufactured.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
