1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of defenses
The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 17 Ukrainian drones overnight over a number of Russian regions, as well as the Black and Azov Seas.
—
Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
Elite defenses were unafraid of him, the Patriots’ best receiver and an aging player whose best days are behind him.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 17 Ukrainian drones overnight over a number of Russian regions, as well as the Black and Azov Seas.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Well, the first order of business for Americans playing in away games like this is to suppress all of the enemy’s air defenses.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
One of the best defenses in civil litigation is that the plaintiff has pleaded laws that are preempted by other laws.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
But the next step is the one that changes how defenses treat him.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
And America's armed forces overwhelmed all defenses and utterly defeated an enemy -- good fighters -- to end the reign of outlaw dictator Nicolas Maduro and bring him to face American justice.
—February 25, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
Criminal defenses that meet the legal threshold to argue an alternative perpetrator was responsible are extremely uncommon in the state, legal experts told the Statesman.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026
Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
Elite defenses were unafraid of him, the Patriots’ best receiver and an aging player whose best days are behind him.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 17 Ukrainian drones overnight over a number of Russian regions, as well as the Black and Azov Seas.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Well, the first order of business for Americans playing in away games like this is to suppress all of the enemy’s air defenses.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
One of the best defenses in civil litigation is that the plaintiff has pleaded laws that are preempted by other laws.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
But the next step is the one that changes how defenses treat him.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
And America's armed forces overwhelmed all defenses and utterly defeated an enemy -- good fighters -- to end the reign of outlaw dictator Nicolas Maduro and bring him to face American justice.
—February 25, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
Criminal defenses that meet the legal threshold to argue an alternative perpetrator was responsible are extremely uncommon in the state, legal experts told the Statesman.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses
Noun
-
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
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The Health Resources and Services Administration is preparing new national policies to improve safeguards for this type of donation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These are truths to confront, not cover up with excuses.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
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The younger guys, who may make excuses or shy away when a coach challenges them, will respect what players like Goldstein or senior catcher Gianni Corral have to say.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Although the board voted without any discussion of the motion to extend protections brought forward by Horvath, members of the public did voice concerns.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Before the vote on the moratorium, Eagle pointed out that Hood County has special protections under a section of the Local Government Code, subchapter 231K, which grants special protection of the Brazos River watershed, which is entirely in Hood County.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Past administrations offered legal and moral justifications for military inventions, such as the Bush administration’s claims that Iraq was a just war.—
Gerard F. Powers,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
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Their videos have turned American public opinion squarely against these operations and undercut the administration’s justifications for use of force.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Themed collectibles will also be available in honor of the collaboration, with items like Hello Kitty and Friends sticker sets, themed in-game tokens and shields, dice and emojis.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cucumbers and squash plants pair well with peppers because their low growth habit shields the soil from direct sun, prevents weeds, and keeps your soil from drying out too quickly.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In general, these types of operations – in which security forces take out a cartel leader – lead to more violence, for a variety of reasons.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
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The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation does not provide information on a person’s time or location of parole release, citing safety and security reasons.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Regarding Anthropic’s other red line, autonomous weapons, the definition is narrow enough to be manageable—systems that select and engage targets without human supervision.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
21 Feb. 2026
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The exercise was carried out by the 62nd Airlift Wing, the only US Air Force unit certified to routinely transport US nuclear weapons to ensure both safety and security.—
David Szondy
February 21,
New Atlas,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Floral mosaic patterns abound on the walls; Dyson hair tools are at your fingertips.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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Plants grow just one to two feet tall, with a weeping habit perfect for spilling out of containers and over rock walls, or planting as a dynamic groundcover.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenses. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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