1
as in ammunition
means or method of defending
thorns are a rose's defense against grazing animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excuse
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame
there's absolutely no defense for your actions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defense
His physical defense on Wembanyama has kept the Spurs star off balance and in relative check for most of the first two games (or at least seven of the eight quarters).
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 June 2026
Explosions could be heard in central Israel as air defenses sought to intercept incoming Iranian fire.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Sneed was a critical part of the team’s defense during KC’s Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII championship runs.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Pino’s defense team, in a flurry of last-minute motions, sought to prohibit jurors from hearing about the other-boat theory.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 June 2026
Explosions could be heard in central Israel as air defenses sought to intercept incoming Iranian fire.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Sneed was a critical part of the team’s defense during KC’s Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII championship runs.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Pino’s defense team, in a flurry of last-minute motions, sought to prohibit jurors from hearing about the other-boat theory.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense
Noun
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In a search of Jennings’ home after his arrest, authorities found multiple firearms, rifles and dozens of rounds of ammunition.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Gaethje let go of all dignity by targeting that personal drama into fight-week ammunition.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The two-day festival spans the museum (great excuse to check it out) and the Harold Washington Library Center.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
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Of course all the business between Patricia and the Boogeyman is just an excuse for Widow’s Bay to stage a corker of a send-up of 1978’s Halloween and slasher movies of its ilk.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Recent rulings by the conservative-leaning Supreme Court also have rolled back federal protections under the Voting Rights Act.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Any outdoor shelter site must be fire resistant and offer protection from heat as well as flame, Wara said.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Noun
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This looks very much like trying to make the facts fit a legal justification for tariffs that has already been decided.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
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But in early May, a panel of judges at the US Court of International Trade found the administration lacked the justification to enact tariffs.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The latest the series can end is June 17; the shield stopping him from answering questions — not just about his past, but his present and future — is likely to stay in place.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Sherrill cited public safety concerns after officials reported protesters had set tires and chairs on fire, thrown makeshift projectiles and weaponized police shields.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
While the dormant transmission line had been long out of use, there are many reasons to keep it from being dismantled, including growth in the region, Dunleavy said.—
Tony Saavedra,
Daily News,
10 June 2026
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However, Wake County Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins dismissed the claims, citing procedural reasons.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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The bear’s maker, FoloToy, initially stopped Kumma sales after the study was published to conduct a safety audit and to strengthen child-safety safeguards, the company said in a statement at the time.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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As part of its ongoing bargaining process to secure a new contract, the faculty association has been pushing for safeguards for those who use and those who refuse to use AI, professional development resources and protections for faculty intellectual property.—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Mexican authorities have previously expressed fears they could be used as weapons by rowdy fans.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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The company revealed that the fuze upgrades launch platforms into low-cost, effective counter-unmanned aerial system weapons to enhance reliable detonation at the optimal impact.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defense. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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