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
Today, almost no American politician, Democrat or Republican, defends the World Trade Organization.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Gina Knapp defends District 5 Gina Knapp will remain on the Blue Valley School Board after defending her seat from two challengers, including a Blue Valley parent who launched a last-minute write-in campaign.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
However, the organization stands by its ethics and defends the legality of its methods.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
This conditioner can help restore strands to near virgin health with the help of arginine (a keratin building block that promotes growth) and astaxanthin (an antioxidant that defends against stress and damage).
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2025
Robinson defends that scenes of a flashback involving a young Bruce hitting his dad with a baseball bat, or another of a now-adult Springsteen sitting on his father’s lap after a show, all happened exactly as Springsteen described.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
Dern defends takedowns at 25 percent, and her comfort level on the ground could be her downfall if Jandiroba gets on top of her every round.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … LACKING PRINCIPLE – Principal defends teacher who mocked Kirk assassination at Chicago protest.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Draymond Green traditionally defends James, but should be able to slide over to Doncic at times.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Gina Knapp defends District 5 Gina Knapp will remain on the Blue Valley School Board after defending her seat from two challengers, including a Blue Valley parent who launched a last-minute write-in campaign.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
However, the organization stands by its ethics and defends the legality of its methods.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
This conditioner can help restore strands to near virgin health with the help of arginine (a keratin building block that promotes growth) and astaxanthin (an antioxidant that defends against stress and damage).
—Mary Honkus, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2025
Robinson defends that scenes of a flashback involving a young Bruce hitting his dad with a baseball bat, or another of a now-adult Springsteen sitting on his father’s lap after a show, all happened exactly as Springsteen described.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
Dern defends takedowns at 25 percent, and her comfort level on the ground could be her downfall if Jandiroba gets on top of her every round.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … LACKING PRINCIPLE – Principal defends teacher who mocked Kirk assassination at Chicago protest.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Draymond Green traditionally defends James, but should be able to slide over to Doncic at times.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
-
These comments are important because our government must place premium in creating a society that respects human lives, secures its borders and protects its citizens.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Spent foliage over the winter also protects the roots against cold.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He is set to make $19 million next year, which is far more than his production last year justifies.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Others think that the environmental and public health cost of fossil fuels justifies pushing for a new path forward — like a heavy investment into battery technology.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The administration maintains that the NCPC has jurisdiction over construction rather than demolition.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
According to AskUSDA, ground spices have a shorter shelf life compared to that of whole spices as the latter maintains its aroma and flavor longer.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This letter is a clarion call for immediate intervention to secure a humanitarian corridor that upholds the dignity and rights of the vulnerable.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
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,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Therefore, the present work supports the belief that rational materials design at both the macro and atomic levels can solve long-standing challenges, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
These microorganisms are the base of a unique food chain that supports a community of cave-dwelling organisms.—
Humberto Basilio,
Scientific American,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share