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 tight ends can get back to blurring the run and the pass, with Stafford at the controls and Kyren Williams and Corum wearing defenses down between the tackles. — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Maye ranked 32nd of 33 quarterbacks in Expected Points Added (EPA) against Cover 6 defenses last year. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026 Ukrainian defenses downed 128 drones, the air force said, with impacts reported across 13 locations. — David Brennan, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026 Adversaries may soon be able to fly drones in coordinated swarms using AI, effectively overwhelming any defenses. — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 As the Lindsay Clancy trial has unfolded, other cases of mothers charged with killing their children who are arguing similar defenses also made their way through the court system. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 This is also a good time to have the NFL schedule handy for the first few weeks when selecting defenses. — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026 Its longer range and better defenses help security teams reach missile sites and respond to threats faster. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses

Noun

Anthropic also found evidence that a reseller platform routed refused biology prompts toward models with weaker safeguards.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
One Anthropic researcher resigned due to claims of inadequate safeguards.

— Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

Arteta and Arsenal had no need for excuses this time around, though, with Martin Odegaard scoring a late winner after a convincing team performance at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
With each passing year and each additional project, though, the room for excuses dwindles further.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of excuses

Noun

Fires routinely sweep Kinshasa’s dense neighborhoods during the dry season, where rapid urban growth outpaces basic protections such as reliable fire and emergency services.

— Saleh Mwanamilongo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
If the Interior Department determines the animals have met recovery goals, the administration will also work with states to encourage them to remove state-level protections and revise standards governing lethal wolf removal.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of protections

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

Capsules commonly carry ablative shields made from materials designed to char and gradually wear away.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Additionally, the sprawling tropical flora throughout the island doubles as lush backdrop and hurricane protection that shields and roots the island against extreme weather conditions.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of shields

Noun

And there might be strategic reasons to hold Luzardo back for a potential Game 3.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The move is striking for a number of reasons, ranging from the existing budget disparities between the two parties involved to the fact that the money would be used for projects that the current NIH leadership has explicitly rejected.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

Ordonez alleges he was kidnapped by two people who threatened him, blindfolded him, had weapons and inserted a syringe into his neck.

— Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Western officials suspect that the traces could provide evidence that Iran had a secret nuclear weapons program until 2003.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of weapons

Noun

The Chicago Cubs center fielder made an Air Jordan-style catch during Friday’s 6-1 win over the Miami Marlins, banging into a nook where two walls converge at funky loanDepot park.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin broke out of Alcatraz by digging holes in the prison walls using spoons from the cafeteria.

— Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026