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

Relevance

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 Including his time at Syracuse and Nebraska, Tony White’s defenses have held opponents under 20 points in 34 games (FSU has done so three times in 2026, although the Seminoles gave up 50 at Alabama). — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 Through four games, the team has one of the worst defenses in the league. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 With the exception of last week, Denver’s offense has scored on good defenses. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 The production expansion comes as militaries seek more capable defenses against inexpensive drones. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026 This will allow defenses to focus on taking away their explosiveness and their stud pass catchers. — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026 Next year’s preliminary budget shows the kingdom is willing to keep borrowing to bolster its defenses and build trade routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Yet although supplying air defenses is essential, protecting Ukraine’s skies cannot be the only strategy, because of simple arithmetic. — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026 Among the potential defenses are those based on the First Amendment—namely, that the famed Mantle card has historical or cultural significance and that Cardsmiths’ version possibly offers commentary. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses

Noun

Geoff warns Ilya to moderate his projections, emphasizing the need for safeguards, but the idealistic Russian is swept up in the vast potential of AI — to solve the climate crisis, cure cancer, even save humanity from itself.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
In addition to security safeguards, Shield promises to reimburse up to $100,000 for regular users, and up to $500,000 for its highest class of VIP users, in the event of a third-party takeover.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

The rules, which are never explained, are put there as flimsy excuses for aspects of the pilot that don’t hold together otherwise.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Only to see them, after winning elections, get strong-armed by the party, then offer lame excuses as to why.

— Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuses

Noun

Lemon argued his actions were protected under the First Amendment’s protections for the press and protesters.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
In the Central African Republic — where transgender people have little to no legal protections and are marginalized in much of society — Fuentes dons her wig only in the privacy of her bathroom.

— Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

Well, it’s generally focused on the origins of and justifications for Baldwin’s multi-decade persecution complex.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Even the characters involved in the season’s intriguing, yet infuriating, cliffhanger ending have justifications for their schemes.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of justifications

Noun

Swarms of police officers descended from helicopters and beat them with billy clubs and metal shields.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
In Paris, tear gas filled the air, and trash cans, school desks and chairs were set alight as riot police with shields and batons clashed with some demonstrators.

— Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of shields

Noun

Steve Sarkisian will not budge on this issue One of the primary reasons Manning chose to attend Texas was Sarkisian.

— Mac Engel October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
Palestinian officials cited conditions in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem as reasons for postponing the vote.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

The widespread use of arrests, tear gas and riot-control weapons against teenagers is fueling defiance and angering some parents and teachers.

— NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Washington has placed greater emphasis on producing critical weapons at higher rates.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of weapons

Noun

The aerospace company, led by Elon Musk, struck a deal to acquire a nationwide low-band spectrum that will advance Starlink’s wireless capabilities by enabling the signal to pass through walls and other obstacles.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
This can build walls of water -- potentially as tall as 20 feet or more -- which can quickly overpower barriers and flood homes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026