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 Its sister service Starshield, a military version developed for the Pentagon, relies on the Starlink network and has become a vital component for Ukrainian forces, strengthening its far-reaching drone strike missions and air defenses. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Nov. 2026 Read More on News Europe has been gearing up its defenses since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but concerns that Russia could target the Baltic states have been growing recently. — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Nov. 2026 In the half court, Stokes is a brutal matchup, and Kaufman-Renn can pick apart defenses from the top of the key. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2026 Senior linebacker Colton Zvonar leads one of the state’s best defenses. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026 Their battlefield effectiveness has also highlighted vulnerabilities to electronic warfare, communications disruption, and air defenses. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026 Years passed, and Boakye watched as both his former partner and many of his friends died of complications from HIV, which infiltrates immune cells and weakens the body’s defenses. — Diana Kwon, Vox, 11 Nov. 2026 From counter-drone defenses to advanced sensors integrated into tanks and fighter jets, the technologies transforming the battlefield are also changing, or even expanding, the markets served by legacy defense giants. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026 Flavonoids help calm chronic inflammation by lowering pro-inflammatory chemicals, neutralizing free radicals, and boosting the body’s antioxidant defenses. — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses

Noun

The complaint alleges the nightclub operated as a late-night entertainment venue without proper licensing, adequate security or meaningful safeguards to prevent violence.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
New York has an opportunity to close that gap and establish stronger safeguards for the future.

— Wendy Stark, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

The Lakers could have had plenty of excuses for a bad performance Monday.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
The players understand what’s at stake, and none are making any excuses in the locker room after yet another sluggish start for the unit.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of excuses

Noun

The Destination Stewardship Plan 2026–2030, meanwhile, shifts the focus from mainly growing tourism to managing its impact with protections for culture and the environment with a greater share flowing to island communities.

— Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
The agreement includes noise restrictions, environmental safeguards, and other protections for nearby residents.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

Organizations begin with clear values, but over time, small justifications, cultural shortcuts and competing priorities erode moral clarity.

— Susan Madsen, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Amid this intimacy, there are fundamental suspicions and self-serving justifications.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of justifications

Noun

Hundreds of protesters shielding the tent camp were dispersed by police using shields and some baton charges, the Reuters news agency reported.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2026
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

Definition of shields

Noun

Moments later, Velez's wife bursts through a doorway screaming, and the boy runs toward his mother as the walls break apart around them.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026
Years earlier, while working as a school janitor, King had cleaned the girls’ locker room and noticed the sanitary napkin dispensers mounted on the walls.

— Chris Nashawaty, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2026