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
The case has been assigned a defense attorney and a prosecutor who works for the district attorney’s office.
—
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
Up to 40,000 American troops are stationed across the region, equipped with advanced US missile-defense systems.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
This is not a time for celebration, but for strategic defense and proactive reform.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Administration officials, including the CIA director, defense secretary, and secretary of state, are expected to brief all lawmakers about the Middle East war efforts on Tuesday, the White House said.
—Luke Garrett, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
Up to 40,000 American troops are stationed across the region, equipped with advanced US missile-defense systems.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
This is not a time for celebration, but for strategic defense and proactive reform.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Administration officials, including the CIA director, defense secretary, and secretary of state, are expected to brief all lawmakers about the Middle East war efforts on Tuesday, the White House said.
—Luke Garrett, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense
Noun
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In one recent prosecution, the Department of Justice charged a father-son duo with attempting to drive more than 300 rifles and pistols, plus ammunition and magazines, over the Mexican border.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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Ukraine has also turned to air drones to routinely strike deep into Russian territory at the Kremlin's war machine, including oil refineries, military airfields and ammunition depots.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s no excuse not to keep your toiletries organized when this Eddie Bauer Voyager Kit costs just $5 at Marshall’s.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
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The rain was gone, and so was her last excuse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Both OpenAI and Anthropic say users’ health information is kept separate from other types of data and is subject to additional privacy protections.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Avoid a short, no-win situation in mid-May, then buckle up for popularity, heightened ambitions, new clarity and cosmic protection over all.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The overall trajectory represents movement toward authoritarianism and democratic erosion, with scapegoating of Black, brown, and immigrant communities serving as justification for expanding federal power and potential election interference.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The conduct is without reasonable excuse or justification.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This elixir is powered by a blend of antioxidants (including goji fruit extract), cucumber fruit water, prebiotic and postbiotic extracts, and a handful of other intelligent ingredients to provide visible firming and hydration while helping shield and balance skin from within.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
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But Florida’s trade secrets shield also blocks homeowners from comparing insurance companies, and keeps information from policyholders that could bolster claim payouts for repairs.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the plush Casada massage chair in the bedroom offers reason to part with sleep for a while.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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The reason stores use first names — or first names and last initials — on name tags is to balance two reasonable, but competing, requirements.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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OpenAI was comfortable with the lack of restrictions because so many safeguards were already built into its models, according to people familiar with the matter.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
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Advertisement Effective safeguards already in place CEIR’s analysis has also found that safeguards and procedures states already have in place are effective in preventing non-citizens from registering and rooting out non-citizens who do make it onto voting rolls.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But instead, Colt took his bag and the weapon inside to the bathroom.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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Trump says Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defense. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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