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
Boeing’s defense and space division, meanwhile, was booking multi-billion losses on federal contracts spouting big cost overruns.
—
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 June 2026
With limited exceptions, both the Knicks and Spurs employ lineups of long players that can play effective defense all over the floor.
—John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Military analysts say retaking the ‘monster on the mountain’ is largely symbolic, offering scant defense against Hezbollah’s drones.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
If Cox’s glove is as good as advertised, the Giants can trot him out in center field while batting him low in the lineup and hope that his defense and speed can provide instant value.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 June 2026
With limited exceptions, both the Knicks and Spurs employ lineups of long players that can play effective defense all over the floor.
—John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Military analysts say retaking the ‘monster on the mountain’ is largely symbolic, offering scant defense against Hezbollah’s drones.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
If Cox’s glove is as good as advertised, the Giants can trot him out in center field while batting him low in the lineup and hope that his defense and speed can provide instant value.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense
Noun
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Between 2012 and 2015, Perry was also convicted of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, domestic violence, possession of ammunition as a felon and fleeing from police in Sacramento County, according to the criminal complaint.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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More picks offer more chances at fortifying their roster, or more trade ammunition to move up for a quarterback in a strong draft class next spring.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
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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
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Carpenter requested that her sister, Sarah, and her sister’s boyfriend, guitarist George Smith, be added to the protection order as well since the couple reside in her Los Angeles home.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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Here, as ever, Kokopeli suggests that clinging to youthful talismans offers no protection against uncertainty, and reasserts the odd mix of disaffection and morbid glee produced by such reactionary impulses.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 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
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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
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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
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There’s a good reason that rooms come with binoculars because there is almost too much action to scope.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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That depth was part of the reason the 2001-02 Kings went 61-21 and took the Los Angeles Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference Finals.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
2 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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Several of the advanced weapons systems the battleships are intended to field remain in development; the Navy hasn’t yet shown they can be integrated successfully onto a ship.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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Sukhmati described how her comrades would raid police stations to steal weapons.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defense. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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