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
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Recent Examples of defends
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
If Wembanyama defends Hart, this will be a major series for Towns, who will have either Castle, Vassell or Julian Champagnie guarding him.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 3 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
The top two titles in all of WWE will be on the line as Raw’s Roman Reigns defends his World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu for the second time this month.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Rhea Ripley defends her title against Jade Cargill after a monthslong feud that began when Ripley won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
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
If Wembanyama defends Hart, this will be a major series for Towns, who will have either Castle, Vassell or Julian Champagnie guarding him.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 3 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
The top two titles in all of WWE will be on the line as Raw’s Roman Reigns defends his World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu for the second time this month.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Rhea Ripley defends her title against Jade Cargill after a monthslong feud that began when Ripley won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
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That principle protects believers and nonbelievers alike.—
David Williamson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
But your router protects everything connected to it.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 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
-
Ransohoff’s second core argument is that speed matters—that the AI transition requires moving fast, and that urgency justifies building new organizations rather than investing in what exists.—
Cat Ward,
Forbes.com,
4 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
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If the court upholds the president's authority, Costco's alternative argument—that such power would violate the Constitution's nondelegation principles—faces a more uncertain path.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
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If the judge upholds Cooper as a media defendant in her final order, the defamation count will be dismissed.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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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
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The Hypochlorous Clarity Mist supports skin through movement and recovery, while the BIO NAD+ Recovery Eye Masks are rooted in restoration, resilience and longevity.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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