DEFENSES Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

defenses

noun

plural of defense

as in safeguards

means or method of defending thorns are a rose's defense against grazing animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excuses

an explanation that frees one from fault or blame there's absolutely no defense for your actions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defenses The sixth-year forward is an athletic rebounder and has learned to fill the gaps created by defenses focusing on Wilson in the frontcourt. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026 From 2022-24, Lewis was the mastermind of Alabama State’s defenses that once rivaled the Rattlers atop the FCS and SWAC. — John Devine, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Its states will also need to strengthen their own defenses, starting with better air and missile interceptors and counter-drone capabilities. — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026 Superwedding now past, Taylor Swift’s husband, TE Travis Kelce, can get back to tormenting NFL defenses for a few more seasons. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Ukraine’s recent strikes into Russia also have exposed weaknesses in Russia’s air defenses, which could prompt Putin to think twice about provoking a retaliatory attack. — Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Ukraine has been firing hundreds of drones at Russia almost nightly, hoping to overwhelm air defenses. — ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026 Such a move would mark a significant expansion of Moscow and Pyongyang’s military cooperation and comes as Ukraine is running painfully short of air defenses. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 The United States has about 28,500 forces stationed in South Korea to bolster the country's defenses — a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. — CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses

Noun

But some of the safeguards meant to preserve that legacy have driven his children apart, according to trusts and estates attorneys.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Meta said the new safeguards will only apply in the United States, with most in place for 10 years.

— Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

The software company PDFFly surveyed 2000 managers and senior managers and found that while 85% of managers suspect their employees are making fake excuses to grab extra time off in the summer, half of management are doing exactly that themselves.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Save as a collection on MyRecipes Fall brings football tailgates, family dinners, and dozens more excuses to gather.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of excuses

Noun

Idaho allows exemptions for medical, religious or other reasons, and medical justifications account for very few of those exemptions, according to data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

— Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 2026
At the center lies carceral safety politics—logics that turn fears of violence into justifications for punitive responses.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of justifications

Noun

Protective, almost — which makes sense, as its stunning chandeliers are designed to look like the shields and spears of African Masai warriors.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
To protect them from interference from magnetic or electric fields, scientists have to dedicate large vacuum chambers and shields that can take up big lab spaces.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of shields

Noun

This increase happens for two reasons — both tied to the fact that El Niño is characterized by warmer than average ocean temperatures in the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Less than a week after our Zoom conversation with Knapp, an unrelated Good Good collab went viral for all of the wrong reasons.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

Anthropic wanted assurance that its technology would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance, and the DOD wanted Anthropic to grant the agency unfettered access to Claude across all lawful purposes.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
International calls for greater restrictions on autonomous weapons systems come as negotiators prepare to meet in Geneva in November to strengthen the existing Convention on Conventional Weapons.

— Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of weapons

Noun

Inside, antique art hangs on walls, tamgroute (local pottery) lines small alcoves, board games are stacked inside cupboards, and coffee table books have plenty to dive into.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026
Bold Wallpaper Bold florals, murals, and textured wallpaper were once stripped away in favor of neutral walls.

— Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026