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

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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 Russia's Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 1,214 Ukrainian drones overnight in one of the largest drone attacks launched by Kyiv. — Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026 Unlike the gangs Bukele confronted in El Salvador, Haiti’s criminal groups have developed extensive defenses, access to increasingly sophisticated weapons and have shown the ability to quickly replenish their ranks. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 The Navy’s research aims to help ships maintain awareness of their cyber and physical operating conditions, dynamically adjust their defenses, and continue functioning during adversarial attacks. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026 Some of this month’s incidents involved hackers using AI tools to hammer an organization’s digital defenses at machine speed; others resulted from plain human error. — Shae Lake, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026 The next-closest defenses, Kansas City and Jacksonville, are surrendering 17 points per game. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026 The Packers are one of the best passing defenses in the game as well. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 The spa There are treatment rooms for a variety of massages, facials, and indulgences based on Wei Qi, a concept rooted in traditional Chinese medicine that boosts the body’s defenses. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 Sofiia Lavska/Apostrophe/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Russia's Defense Ministry said, meanwhile, that air defenses downed 808 Ukrainian drones overnight, and that two people were reported injured, The Associated Press reported. — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses

Noun

But these safeguards represent a substantial, continuing investment in protecting guests.

— Dennis Speigel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
That led to working with the supervisors and the county chief executive, who, Hsieh said, wanted to ensure there were certain safeguards.

— Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

But Glennon’s glad-handing soon gives way to a much blunter critique when my Ear-Candling Tech’s apprentice steps in to say that my team has absolutely had it with me and my excuses.

— Julie Klausner, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
Lexi and Ridge create a multitude of festive excursions — and excuses — to bring them together but thanks to creative machinations by June and Dan, these outings keep turning into foursomes.

— Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuses

Noun

Blasting local officials for failing to protect synagogues and classrooms, Terrell is marching federal prosecutors and the FBI into cities like New York and Detroit to confront rising hate crimes and enforce civil rights protections.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
The players want optionality, as well as sufficient insurance, travel arrangements, tickets for family and other protections.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

Dozens of armored cops were still standing guard, shields raised, after a night when 500 people were taken into custody in the French capital alone.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Swarms of police officers descended from helicopters and beat them with billy clubs and metal shields.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of shields

Noun

Experts studying fear have theorized that one of the major reasons people are flocking to horror experiences lately — whether theme parks, novels or movies — is that the world feels so uncertain.

— Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
But the offensive line has turned out to be TCU’s biggest weakness this season and one of the primary reasons the program sits at 3-4 (1-3 Big 12).

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

However, replenishing those weapons at sea remains a significant logistical challenge.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Trump, meanwhile, said that the war with Iran would end on his terms, while insisting that Tehran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of weapons

Noun

The old names, Rebecca Lobo and Ray Allen, Breanna Stewart and Rip Hamilton, Maya Moore and Kemba Walker, to name only a few, hang on banners along the walls.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
There’s an Acoustic Space setting that helps tame the bass-boosting effects of speaker placement near corners or walls.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026