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
Her squid-ink flavor profile was one note, and her monkfish had a weirdly wet and spongy texture that Rhoda defends but that none of the judges can figure out.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles city attorney’s office, which defends the LAPD in most civil lawsuits, generally does not comment on pending litigation as a matter of policy.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who defends animals.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Sergei Bobrovsky defends the net with the help of teammates against the Boston Bruins at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 2, 2026 in Sunrise, Florida.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Boutboul defends McDonald’s, which sources its beef, cheese and potatoes from French farmers.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
For people living along the coast, sand also defends against intense storms and sea level rise fueled by climate change.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutor defends plea agreement Two men accused of firing shots after the 2024 Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally are still awaiting trial.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Cronin defends sideline intensity Sunday’s matchup is one of those that could have an alternate broadcast with cameras locked on both coaching boxes.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles city attorney’s office, which defends the LAPD in most civil lawsuits, generally does not comment on pending litigation as a matter of policy.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who defends animals.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Sergei Bobrovsky defends the net with the help of teammates against the Boston Bruins at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 2, 2026 in Sunrise, Florida.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Boutboul defends McDonald’s, which sources its beef, cheese and potatoes from French farmers.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
For people living along the coast, sand also defends against intense storms and sea level rise fueled by climate change.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutor defends plea agreement Two men accused of firing shots after the 2024 Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally are still awaiting trial.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Cronin defends sideline intensity Sunday’s matchup is one of those that could have an alternate broadcast with cameras locked on both coaching boxes.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
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The resort also supports the South Caicos Heritage Foundation, which protects surrounding coral reefs and often spearheads community clean-up initiatives.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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Say goodbye to soggy subs thanks to the Sub Sandwich Container, which protects your sandwich on the go.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What is, in most cases, an individual choice made by adults does not, by itself, constitute a clinical problem that justifies federal correction.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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The realist view is that NASA wants to fly a nuclear reactor as soon as possible, and the Mars launch window justifies the aggressive development schedule (and commensurate funding) to appropriators.—
David W. Brown,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The long experience and tight teamwork of unionized camera crews, art departments, and so forth from production to production both maintains high professional standards and reinforces long-standing professional norms.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The Tribune maintains editorial control over assignments and content.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If the Supreme Court upholds the order, Cruz said, families are bracing for the possibility that the government could attempt to revisit the citizenship of children born during that interim period—a scenario that would almost certainly prompt further legal challenges.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Apr. 2026
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Luvme exclusively offers three tiers, beginning at 3-star and above, because tiers 1 and 2 fall below the quality and performance standards this brand upholds.—
Noel Cymone Walker,
StyleCaster,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Moisturizer Your evening moisturizer locks in hydration and supports skin repair overnight.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
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Here in Connecticut, the Post Office helps people stay connected, supports local commerce, and remains a steady presence in the everyday life of the community.—
Readers Speak,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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