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
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
-
Clarify terms with a counterpart by putting the agreement in writing and asking the one key question that protects both sides.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
15 June 2026
-
The claim that remote work breeds social isolation is a myth for some; instead, VI believe protects women from an exhausting, artificial stress tax.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Lestat justifies his, uh, connection with Gabriella by arguing that vampires transcend petty human concepts like conventional morality.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
-
Each new layer of ambition justifies a higher valuation, but the economics have not yet caught up with the narrative.—
Rory McDonald,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Verb
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When Kelsey bravely asks if there’s any part of her that’s now thankful for Jo-Ellen given this new development, Rulla maintains that Jo-Ellen went about it the wrong way.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
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The 53-year-old actor maintains a home in Los Angeles but has shifted most of his life to the Midwest in recent years.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
14 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
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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
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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 21 Jun. 2026.
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