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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attack
• offense
• assault
• aggression
• offensive
• offence

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
• pretence
• confession
• out
• guise
• atonement
• pretense
• whitewash
• acknowledgment
• acknowledgement
• 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
• naiveté
• openness
• naïveté
• receptivity
• infirmity
• receptiveness
• gullibility
• frailty
• easiness
• naivete
• credulity
• frailness
• liability
• credulousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defense

Noun

Loveland’s versatility appealed to the Bears, who see the ability to pair him with Kmet in two-tight-end sets while keeping opposing defenses off balance. —Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025

That was a key question prosecutors and her defense sought answers to Friday in her retrial on murder charges in his death. —Michael Ruiz , Alexis McAdams, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025

The Dark Eagle readiness tests build on more than a decade of experimental hypersonic flights by multiple US defense agencies. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 26 Apr. 2025

And they’re being embedded into everything from CRM platforms to national defense strategies. —Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025