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

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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 Many defense systems are high-unit-cost, long-lead-time items constrained by specialized components, energetics capacity, and a limited pool of qualified tier-2 and tier-3 suppliers. — Jean-Louis Rassineux, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Big defense companies are notoriously slow to produce new weapons, but new entrants are forcing them to innovate faster and more aggressively. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 July 2026 Last season, the Texans had a championship-caliber defense, but Stroud’s postseason struggles cost the team a chance to advance to the AFC Championship Game, and possibly the Super Bowl. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Neither England nor France played much defense, and the result was a 10-goal thriller that saw England go up 4-0 in the first half before allowing France to score three times and nearly pull off an improbable comeback. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for defense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense

Noun

Most defense investors are currently pricing deterrence, ammunition, drones and military readiness.

— Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Ukraine is also running out of ammunition in the midst of a declining global supply.

— Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Definition of ammunition

Noun

Asking the people with the least protection to spend the most courage is the most respectable alibi available to anyone with a title.

— Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Still, locals hope the mountain’s cultural and natural wonders will secure it a place and will play a role in securing more protection for the mountain.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of protection

Noun

Democratic leadership cited the ongoing war on Iran as the primary justification for delaying the bill’s progress.

— Julia Gledhill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
The core issue now is control of the Strait of Hormuz, which wasn’t even part of the original justification for war.

— Robin Wright, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of justification

Noun

The particles pose one of the more severe threats for human activities in space, Brandt said, but the boundary of the heliosphere acts as a shield to protect our solar system from 70% of them.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
That’s why researchers are engineering the cancer-fighting cells to be smarter, and stronger, with a better sugar shield.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Definition of shield

Noun

The company has repeatedly denied manipulating election results and says its technology contains safeguards designed to detect irregularities.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
As organizations continue to integrate AI into information workflows, maintaining independent human judgment may become one of their most important safeguards.

— Beth Worthy, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of safeguard

Noun

The sisters’ collective upper limb development also suggests high-intensity, repetitive actions like holding a heavy weapon or pulling a bowstring.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026
Improved monitoring and evidence, including evidence of atrocities and the use of starvation as a weapon, need to be supported if there is to be effective assistance and accountability.

— Peter Hailey, The Conversation, 16 July 2026