Synonyms of defense

defense 1 of 2

noun (1)

di-ˈfen(t)s 

1

as in ammunition

means or method of defending

thorns are a rose's defense against grazing animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ammunition
• protection
• shield
• safeguard
• weapon
• wall
• security
• armor
• guard
• screen
• ward
• armament
• cover
• weaponry
• aegis
• buckler
• munitions
• fortress
• fort
• stronghold
• arm
• palisade
• fastness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attack
• offense
• assault
• aggression
• offensive

2

as in excuse

an explanation that frees one from fault or blame

there's absolutely no defense for your actions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excuse
• justification
• reason
• plea
• alibi
• apology
• rationalization
• rationale
• vindication
• pretext
• confession
• out
• guise
• atonement
• pretense
• whitewash
• acknowledgment
• color
• extenuation
• cop-out
• palliation

defenselessness

2 of 2

noun (2)

as in vulnerability

the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent

our utter defenselessness against the rising floodwaters quickly became apparent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vulnerability
• susceptibility
• weakness
• sensitivity
• exposure
• helplessness
• powerlessness
• proneness
• passivity
• feebleness
• passiveness
• predisposition
• openness
• naïveté
• receptivity
• infirmity
• receptiveness
• gullibility
• frailty
• easiness
• credulity
• frailness
• liability
• credulousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• invulnerability
• immunity
• impenetrability
• invincibility
• indomitability
• indomitableness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defense

Noun

Also Tuesday, a hypersonic glide vehicle, a new weapons system designed for island defense, was deployed to Camp Fuji in the Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo. —ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026

Flynn Meyer and Mia Avgeris combined for the shutout in net without having to make a save behind a defense led by Watt, Fansler, Aly Sudkamp and Ella Forystek. —Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

That ruling led Williams to testify in his own defense, waiving his Fifth Amendment right and opening the door to introduce Franois’s statements in court. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

After a rough few weeks, the Heat’s defense was much better on Monday. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026