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 All of the missiles slipped past Ukrainian defenses, killing least 17 people and wounding dozens more. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jason Semore’s defenses, with his aggressive 4-2-5 scheme, typically rack up interceptions. — Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Security identifies viable attack paths and validates which defenses break them. — Jonathan Baker, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The city's Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said air defenses intercepted at least five drones heading toward the capital on Thursday. — David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile provides long-range strike capability against command centers, air defenses, communications sites, airfields, and logistics facilities. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 He can also be used as a big slot receiver against defenses that prioritize traditional personnel groups. — Mike Kaye august 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2026 Built by Northrop Grumman, the B-21 is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons while penetrating advanced enemy air defenses. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The lengthy hearing offered a trove of new information and a preview of potential defenses the singer’s lawyers might trot out at trial. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses

Noun

But a follow-up investigation by the Oregon Health Authority, made public in February 2024, found the facility was still discharging vulnerable patients, including those with severe addiction, without proper safeguards.

— Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
The Independent reported that the museum has conducted a vibration study and implemented safeguards amid concerns that race activity could affect artworks and historic structures.

— George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

Kiffin understands that excuses aren’t going to fly, even if some are valid about recruiting during a time when coaches were traveling back and forth from Oxford to Baton Rouge.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
The Galliano incident had nothing to do with Israel or the kinds of excuses some people are using today for antisemitism.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of excuses

Noun

But in the days since Haitians suffered one of the biggest losses of immigration protections in recent memory, few customers have stopped by his Fort Lauderdale shop to purchase any of it.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
Meta plans to strengthen these protections as the glasses become more capable.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

Echoing Turkey’s justifications for its contentious S-400 acquisition completed the year before, which led a ban from the F-35 program and CAATSA sanctions slapped on Ankara, Iraqi officials claimed America offered no viable alternative.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
And in many cases, the same justifications elucidated by Douglass remain.

— Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

Definition of justifications

Noun

Designers must place heavy radiation shields around the reactor to keep crew members safe.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
The Phalanx was composed of men who moved and fought as one cohesive unit, creating an impenetrable wall of interlocking shields.

— Steve Muscato, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of shields

Noun

From environmental factors to watering and fertilizing regimens, here are some of the most common reasons why crepe myrtles don’t flower and what to do about it.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Deals like this appear because people buy on impulse, then quickly lose interest for various reasons.

— Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

According to the ministry, this will include a review of security procedures, particularly measures to prevent weapons and other dangerous items from being brought onto school premises.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Cooperation would include bilateral research, development and co-production of weapons and technology in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other fields.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of weapons

Noun

At the Base of Trees and Shrubs Fences and rock walls aren’t the only structures poison ivy likes to climb.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
The greybeards will take on the suicide mission of storming the castle walls, erecting ladders, and invading the city while arrows and rocks rain down on them.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026