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 bugs’ bold movements could be a way to advertise their own chemical defenses from eating toxic plants.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Timchenko openly discussed how his company’s investments in battery storage, solar, and wind are not merely green-transition gestures but are key defenses in an ongoing energy war—and symbols of the nation’s undying spirit.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Red Sea confrontations, where expensive interceptors have been used against low-cost drones, have underscored the economic challenges of missile-centric defenses.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Wednesday nights are for watching tape on third downs at a variety of distances and taking more notes about pressure packages and the front structures opposing defenses prefer.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The widespread nature of the drone landings has intensified scrutiny of Russia's intent and prompted calls for stronger NATO airspace defenses.
—Amanda Castro
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
But in the second half, both defenses settled in and both offenses stalled.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Two great offenses, two really strong defenses, past two league MVPs in Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, and two top-tier Super Bowl contenders in a rematch of last year’s divsional playoff game won by the Bills, 27-25, in snowy Buffalo.
—Greg Cote
september 4, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Instead of growing a virus and weakening it to allow the body to engage its natural defenses, mRNA vaccines use pieces of genetic code to manufacture a protein, a piece of the virus.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Timchenko openly discussed how his company’s investments in battery storage, solar, and wind are not merely green-transition gestures but are key defenses in an ongoing energy war—and symbols of the nation’s undying spirit.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Red Sea confrontations, where expensive interceptors have been used against low-cost drones, have underscored the economic challenges of missile-centric defenses.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Wednesday nights are for watching tape on third downs at a variety of distances and taking more notes about pressure packages and the front structures opposing defenses prefer.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The widespread nature of the drone landings has intensified scrutiny of Russia's intent and prompted calls for stronger NATO airspace defenses.
—Amanda Castro
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
But in the second half, both defenses settled in and both offenses stalled.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Two great offenses, two really strong defenses, past two league MVPs in Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, and two top-tier Super Bowl contenders in a rematch of last year’s divsional playoff game won by the Bills, 27-25, in snowy Buffalo.
—Greg Cote
september 4, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Instead of growing a virus and weakening it to allow the body to engage its natural defenses, mRNA vaccines use pieces of genetic code to manufacture a protein, a piece of the virus.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses
Noun
-
Reserve audits, compliance and technical safeguards must keep pace with demand, especially in regions where adoption is fastest.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Platforms promise safeguards, but in practice, graphic clips often spread faster than moderation systems can react.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When sheriff’s deputies were raiding his home in May, Mutch had excuses for both alleged crimes, according to the criminal complaint.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Bad Wi-Fi is basically a modern tragedy, and there are no excuses for living like that in 2025 anymore.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Other consumer advocates agree that more protections are needed.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
More than half of CMOs said they were focused on strengthening data privacy and protections over the next two years, up from around four in 10 in the previous year’s survey.—
Tom Barkley,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The justifications for the slaughter which started out so white hot after October 7th have cooled now, become more immaterial and incoherent.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The justifications are endless, as are the streams of books and websites making the case.—
Naomi S. Baron,
The Conversation,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Getty Images Key Facts Apple’s product release primarily revolved around the new iPhone 17, AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch models, improving on the devices’ pre-existing features and adding new ones like live translation and ceramic shields.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Across the states, GOP legislators are pushing liability shields for the makers of toxic agrochemicals.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The route, closed to the public for security reasons, was lined by 22 half-companies representing all branches of the armed forces.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The very different siblings, who are each going through their own personal life challenges, have naturally gone in separate directions over the years, and the idea of spending 10 days cooped up on a river cruise together makes each Keller child cringe for their own reasons.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And with the President safely ensconced behind the castle walls, the royal charm offensive has begun in earnest.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Launched in 2024 by Sol and Jennia Fredrique Aponte, the summit was born from a desire to create a space where artists of color can thrive beyond traditional gallery walls.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Zelensky said Russia is planning two more heavy offensives after three previous attempts failed and that allies must sustain production of drones and electronic warfare systems and keep weapons and funding flowing to support Ukraine.—
Brendan Cole
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The main concern is the stagnant nature of the offense, largely down to the absence of some key weapons – Rashee Rice is missing through suspension and Xavier Worthy suffered a freak shoulder injury in Week 1.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenses. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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