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 Moscow’s drip-drip escalation has been palpable for years now, as sabotage incidents become more frequent, and recklessness in the form of stray drones or ballistic missiles cross into and test NATO’s outer defenses. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 On behalf of her contact at the Russian embassy, the defendant sought information on German defense policy and the defense industry, particularly in light of Russia's war on Ukraine. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 What has largely separated this season’s defense from last season’s group is pass rush and splash plays. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 With just 26 seconds remaining in Wednesday night’s season opener against the New England Patriots, star Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba held his breath, hoping desperately that Seattle’s defense would step up. — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense

Noun

And Caxon’s resignation is being used as a catch-all piece of ammunition for anyone who has anything against AI.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
But police discovered the handgun and 12 rounds of ammunition hidden under the driver's seat.

— Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of ammunition

Noun

Arteta and Arsenal had no need for excuses this time around, though, with Martin Odegaard scoring a late winner after a convincing team performance at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
That’s not to make excuses, but to put in context, what is also a sputtering, screwball-y film about masculine roles in a waning patriarchal society.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of excuse

Noun

The administration’s justification for these orders is a statute that allows the Department of Energy (DOE) to declare an emergency in the case of wartime or a sudden shortfall in generation.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Although the declaration is more symbolic than a justification for emergency powers, Lurie used the announcement to lay out his support for a package of policies to reform the city's housing crisis.

— Noe Padilla, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of justification

Noun

In a second the players were there, every single player was there, stopping celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Three of the Starlink craft launching on Flight 14 have been outfitted with cameras and will photograph the heat shield on Starship's upper stage, known as Ship, after deployment.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of shield

Noun

Some said the outcome is likely if the industry fails to impose adequate safeguards, while others cast doubt on it as vague and far-fetched.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
An Associated Press review following the shooting showed the campus in Orem did not use several public safety practices that have become standard safeguards at events around the country.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of safeguard

Noun

Though described as a sale, the transaction is financed through a mechanism known as foreign military financing, in which the United States provides the money that Israel uses to buy the weapons.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
That could give the weapon a theoretical range of about 280 miles.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026