1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of defenses
McDonald was a game-wrecker for one of the most dominant defenses in the country, earning consensus All-American honors.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The 49ers use their heavy personnel to create mismatches in the passing game when defenses try to stop their running game with base.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Troops from several European countries deployed to Greenland and are on the ground there Thursday for a quick two-day mission to bolster the territory’s defenses.
—Greg Norman-Diamond , Gillian Turner, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Marta Suárez plays hero after struggles After scoring 20 points in three of four games, the Spanish native has struggled over the past two games as defenses have keyed in to try and slow her down.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026
He’s made some big runs to really hurt a lot of defenses.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
There is no team pumping more narratives and defenses and updates into the national conversation right now than the desperate Giants.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
The news agency reported that Ukraine's air force said Russia's barrage included 242 drones and 36 missiles, including the Oreshnik, but Ukrainian air defenses downed 226 of the drones and half the missiles.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The militarization of space, expanded anti-missile defenses and the potential risks of AI could create additional instability.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The 49ers use their heavy personnel to create mismatches in the passing game when defenses try to stop their running game with base.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Troops from several European countries deployed to Greenland and are on the ground there Thursday for a quick two-day mission to bolster the territory’s defenses.
—Greg Norman-Diamond , Gillian Turner, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Marta Suárez plays hero after struggles After scoring 20 points in three of four games, the Spanish native has struggled over the past two games as defenses have keyed in to try and slow her down.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026
He’s made some big runs to really hurt a lot of defenses.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
There is no team pumping more narratives and defenses and updates into the national conversation right now than the desperate Giants.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
The news agency reported that Ukraine's air force said Russia's barrage included 242 drones and 36 missiles, including the Oreshnik, but Ukrainian air defenses downed 226 of the drones and half the missiles.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The militarization of space, expanded anti-missile defenses and the potential risks of AI could create additional instability.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses
Noun
-
O’Hare said a thorough review of the institution will occur to ensure safeguards are in place to protect those in Tarrant County custody, especially juveniles.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
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In response to a user prompt, Grok acknowledged lapses in its digital safeguards.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The excuses have more to do with political expediency and gas lobbying than reality.—
Anshul Gupta,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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There can be no excuses because the general team performance against mid-table Fulham had plenty in common with those that had gone before it.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This can mean cutting unnecessary expenses, shoring up insurance protections and, perhaps most importantly, reviewing ways to make extra money.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The erosion of responsible gaming protections has been a direct real-world consequence of DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel needing to call prediction markets—an exchange format for betting—a financial asset in order to offer them to the public.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That includes not only explanations and justifications for the officers’ actions but also, where appropriate, apologies and commitments to correct any tactical or administrative problems that led to the loss of life.—
Laurence Miller,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
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When boards pre-commit to a preferred outcome and then retrofit justifications for rejecting alternatives, the problem is not strategic disagreement.—
Mark DesJardine,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The video footage did not appear to capture any rocks, bottles or fireworks being thrown at the federal officers or any shields held by the protesters.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Even today, class and education serve as shields from the Delta’s violent culture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Why Atlas stood out at CES 2026 CNET pointed to Atlas’ humanlike walking ability and refined industrial design as key reasons for the award.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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If the reasons behind an expense feel fuzzy, analyze the details and ask for a clear summary, because precise information turns hesitation into a calm, confident decision.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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When Israel launched the surprise war against Iran last summer, the depth of its infiltration became evident when it was revealed that Israeli intelligence agents smuggled weapons into the country and used them to strike high-value targets from within Iranian territory.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
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Ole Miss has enough dangerous weapons in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy and wide receivers Harrison Wallace III, De’Zhaun Stribling and Deuce Alexander to make a tired defense pay.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Damaged walls may not be able to support the building's weight.—
Pat Harvey,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Using a speaker outside the stall results in reverb and echoing as the music bounces around the bathroom walls, making the sound muddy and unpleasant.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenses. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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