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

Interest payments are now the second-largest spending category in the federal budget, surpassing Medicare and defense in fiscal year 2024 and trailing only Social Security. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 19 July 2025

Everyone knows that run defense starts up front, though, on the interior defensive line. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025

Swedish defense giant Saab reported stronger-than-expected second operating income of 1.98 billion Swedish krona ($200 million) this morning. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 18 July 2025

Clarence Darrow, a celebrated defense attorney, represented Scopes. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025