DEFENSE Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

defense

noun

di-ˈfen(t)s

Definition of defense

as in ammunition

means or method of defending thorns are a rose's defense against grazing animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 defense Being detained does not determine whether a person has a defense or another legal option. — Ascend Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 In fact, the emergence of Ukraine’s defense industrial base is itself an example of business success. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 Larger multi-megawatt systems are intended for data centers, industrial operations, and defense installations, where reliable power has become increasingly important as energy demand continues to grow. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026 Just as Peterson has benefitted from leaving the Mets to pitch with the game’s best defense behind him, Holmes and his high groundball rate should also benefit from the elite group. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense

Noun

Kevin Owens ultimately won the match with a stunner on his longtime frenemy Sami Zayn, who now has a whole new round of ammunition for complaints about a WWE conspiracy.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Manguchei pleaded to conspiracy to possess a firearm and ammunition as a felon, and was sentenced to 44 months in prison.

— Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of ammunition

Noun

That way, no one has to make an excuse for Malik Nabers going to a Travis Scott concert while in the concussion protocol.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
At a systems level, autonomy must also be protected through laws, policies, and enforcement so that disability never becomes an excuse to sideline the voices of those most affected.

— Christopher Campos, STAT, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of excuse

Noun

In June, a federal judge ruled against Katherine and Garry Leach, finding that federal courts could not weigh in on how churches spend their donations, citing First Amendment protections.

— Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
The better opportunity lies in parts of the market where scale alone provides less protection.

— Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of protection

Noun

As the economy becomes a flashpoint for the November midterms, many of these candidates and voters who support them are citing religion as a justification for their positions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Its inability to thrive was then offered as the justification for never building one.

— Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of justification

Noun

Operating continuously beneath complex sub-river geology of riverbed silt and sand, the shield machine operated without intermediate access shafts.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
Digital shield firewall with central computer processor and futuristic motherboard.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of shield

Noun

The earliest cases dated to April and occurred in evaluation environments that lacked what the company described as standard safeguards.

— Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Insurance, regulations, and legal frameworks will intensify the obligation on enterprises to ensure robust systems rather than superficial safeguards.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of safeguard

Noun

The militant group Hamas has reached an agreement with the Board of Peace – tasked with implementing a long term ceasefire plan in Gaza – to relinquish its weapons, a senior official told CNN on Friday.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Inscoe turned himself in a few hours later, and was charged with two counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill/inflicting serious injury, and felony larceny of a motor vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

— Mark Price July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026