1
as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from
a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defends
Israel's prison service defends its treatment, but human rights groups report serious abuses.
—
Greg Myre, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Carrie is in love with Richard, defends him, and even punishes Laura by starving her for multiple days.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Ours defends the domestic leagues.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
This one is about the tactics ICE is using in its immigration enforcement, with a former cop and agent who mostly defends them.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Olympia Entertainment denies any discrimination and defends the firing.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 10 Oct. 2025
According to data from the Casa del Encuentro, a civil organization that defends women’s rights, 164 women were killed in Argentina in the first eight months of 2025.
—Manuela Castro, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
James Burling is vice president of legal affairs at Pacific Legal Foundation, a nonprofit legal organization that defends Americans’ individual liberty and constitutional rights.
—James Burling, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo struggles for yardage as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton defends.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Greg Myre, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Carrie is in love with Richard, defends him, and even punishes Laura by starving her for multiple days.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Ours defends the domestic leagues.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
This one is about the tactics ICE is using in its immigration enforcement, with a former cop and agent who mostly defends them.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Olympia Entertainment denies any discrimination and defends the firing.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 10 Oct. 2025
According to data from the Casa del Encuentro, a civil organization that defends women’s rights, 164 women were killed in Argentina in the first eight months of 2025.
—Manuela Castro, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
James Burling is vice president of legal affairs at Pacific Legal Foundation, a nonprofit legal organization that defends Americans’ individual liberty and constitutional rights.
—James Burling, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo struggles for yardage as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton defends.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
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According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, the First Amendment protects the right to organize a protest, express your opinion and photograph events while on public property.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
15 Oct. 2025
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That protects our investment, both financially and in the future of our children.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This justifies higher volume assumptions for US producers leading to higher long-term EBITDA and FCF forecasts.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
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The Republican who ostensibly champions liberty but justifies authoritarian impulses from the White House.—
John H Bolthouse,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
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That contest will determine if Milei maintains a political mandate to further his aggressive cost-cutting agenda.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There’s a reason why everyone from nurses to marathon runners upholds Hoka as the gold standard in comfy walking shoes.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
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The data show that 61% of women identify as feminist and are suspicious of any institution that upholds traditional social norms, according to the Survey Center on American Life.—
Mitch Picasso,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Research on interpersonal warmth—which, alongside competence, accounts for roughly 82% of how people evaluate others—supports the importance of explicit positive communication.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
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Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in the body that primarily supports muscles.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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