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
Until now, the idea that the secretary of defense would accuse a lawmaker of treason simply for disagreeing with him would be laughable.
—
Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
The legislation will serve as the House’s starting position in negotiations with the Senate after the lower chamber knocked the upper chamber’s housing package out of must-pass defense legislation last year.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The investigation is still ongoing, and measures are subject to Meta's reply and rights of defense, the Commission said.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Turning waste into assets According to Uplift360, advanced materials such as carbon fiber and aramids are essential to Europe’s defense, aerospace and manufacturing sectors.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
The legislation will serve as the House’s starting position in negotiations with the Senate after the lower chamber knocked the upper chamber’s housing package out of must-pass defense legislation last year.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The investigation is still ongoing, and measures are subject to Meta's reply and rights of defense, the Commission said.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Turning waste into assets According to Uplift360, advanced materials such as carbon fiber and aramids are essential to Europe’s defense, aerospace and manufacturing sectors.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense
Noun
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After Maldonado consented to a search, police located seven rounds of ammunition in his back pocket, a black face mask in his jacket pocket and a gun in the vehicle.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Vaughn was previously convicted of on three counts each of armed assault to murder and mayhem, and a single count of unlawful possession of ammunition in 2007.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Even though most job cuts don’t appear to be tied to AI automation, companies are using the technology as an excuse to make routine headcount reductions, according to management experts.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Then again, someone like Charli doesn’t exactly need an excuse to embrace the theatrical.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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That pact is partly about protection, said Naomi Hossain, a professor of Development Studies at SOAS University of London.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The order also notes that protesters ignoring dispersal orders or trespassing on federal property is not appropriate justification for agents to deploy riot control weapons.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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Israel cited militant attacks on soldiers as justification, but the mounting civilian deaths have sparked criticism from Arab and Muslim nations.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Gurus can deliver millions of devoted followers as a consolidated vote bank, and in return politicians may provide a shield of patronage, according to Ronki Ram, a professor at the Institute for Development and Communication in Chandigarh, who has researched Singh and the Dera Sacha Sauda.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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In 1651, Thomas Hobbes used the Leviathan to represent a great monster made up of tiny individual elements (the shields).—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Gordon pointed to a January study published in the journal Science as highlighting the reason behind the decline in overdose deaths.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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My sense is that the reason for this disconnect—the loss of power that faith traditions and philosophies once had to influence progressive movements—is that so much of it is digital now.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The entire collection is preserved by the Archivio Fotografico Italiano located in the Lombardy region, which safeguards, studies, and promotes Carnisio’s work globally.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Similarly, the requirement of a judicial warrant before entering a home is a foundational safeguard of individual liberty.—
Noah Feldman,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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He was booked on charges related to assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism and probation violation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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He was arrested and charged first-degree assault of an elderly person, carrying a dangerous weapon, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defense. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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