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

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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 Ukraine’s air defenses are strained and urgently need more ammunition as Russia appears to be targeting the power grid ahead of winter. — Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 1 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 Russia's Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 254 Ukrainian drones overnight. — Hanna Arhirova, Arkansas Online, 29 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 With plenty to build on considering the way running back Kenneth Walker III’s presence in the backfield is creating crucial dilemmas for opposing defenses that for too long have been able to just predicate everything on stopping Mahomes. — Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026 The hastiness helps to explain why the administration’s defenses of the order varied so exotically. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026 But this year’s numbers are after three games against Stanford, Wake Forest and Florida A&M; last year’s numbers include games where Beck faced elite pass-rushing defenses like Texas A&M, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Louisville. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses

Noun

Chip heavyweight Nvidia is rolling out a new software platform that allows AI developers to set safeguards for agents to prevent them from misbehaving.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
OpenAI CHief Executive Sam Altman has joined other industry leaders in calling for a slowdown, warning that companies do not yet have adequate safeguards to control the most capable systems.

— Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

Now, none of this excuses what Cathy does to poor, sweet, trusting Faye, whom Martha Plimpton plays with a chummy maternal quality that makes her grotesque demise that much more upsetting.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
But the status quo clearly isn't working, and with the resources poured into the program ahead of 2026, Riley has few excuses left.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of excuses

Noun

Orphan drug protections apply narrowly to the rare disease and do not apply when the same drug is developed for a common disease.

— John Mildenberger, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Opponents argue the proposal weakens environmental protections, stifles community input and could fast-track projects like data centers and freeways.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

Catch and eliminate personal excuses, justifications, or peer comparisons.

— Brendan Keegan, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Despite such justifications, these cuts, closures and layoffs have caused morale to plummet at Goddard, some current workers say, and have left management increasingly disconnected from the research center’s day-to-day operations.

— Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of justifications

Noun

Its formula contains red algae extract, an antioxidant the brand says shields hair from pollution for up to 48 hours, and Olaplex’s signature bond-building technology, strengthening weak, overprocessed strands.

— Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
Cliches were wielded like shields Tuesday, protecting against the imminent threat of social clips construed as bulletin board material.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of shields

Noun

Aiden Markram missed out the first match due to personal reasons, but returned as opening batter, replacing Tony de Zorzi.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
That’s not to say anything of the sort is guaranteed soon — single events are never guaranteed this far out — but there are reasons to take this El Niño seriously thanks to just how astonishing some of the numbers are.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

In August, the White House announced sanctions on five Cuban entities and eight individuals who help Cuba secure weapons and maintain relationships with foreign militaries.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
Iran has long supplied the Houthis with weapons and other assistance, though Tehran denies directing their military operations.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of weapons

Noun

The tomb’s entrance passage, with narrowing walls and descending axis, creates a liminal stage to orient the body before entering the burial chamber.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
Beyond the walls of the company’s London headquarters, which is filled with thousands of its plushy pink octopus mascots, Jackson’s empire may look like an unwieldy one.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of walls

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“Defenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenses. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defenses

noun

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