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 Jordan’s military said its air defenses intercepted and downed eight Iranian missiles early Thursday local time that were headed toward the country, state media reported. — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 Had Marsh taken that step — known in legal parlance as striking Basabe’s affirmative defenses — the jury would have only had to determine monetary damages against Basabe on each count, skipping the step of deciding whether to hold Basabe liable. — Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 In the July 6th attack on Kyiv, all twenty-nine ballistic missiles that Russia launched made it through Ukrainian air defenses and hit their targets—a sign that Ukraine may be effectively running out of Patriot interceptors. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Low-cost drones are also increasingly being paired with high-end weapons to improve their effectiveness by distracting or overwhelming enemy air defenses. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 15 July 2026 Malware protection shields your devices from harmful sites, and automatic updates keep your defenses current. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 15 July 2026 Over several decades, Tehran has developed a network of fortified bases, underground storage complexes, mobile launch systems, and layered defenses intended to make its missile force difficult to locate and destroy. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026 FanDuel would have several defenses should Harper initiate legal action. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026 The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses overnight intercepted 288 Ukrainian drones. — Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses

Noun

Likely to avoid other bad actors circumventing safeguards, xAI did not include examples of Harwood’s successful prompts or describe methods used to bypass filters.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
What safeguards exist when enforcement actions increasingly originate from algorithmic analysis rather than direct human observation?

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

On Friday, a group of affected workers and advocates gathered at the Broward airport to call for an extension on the protections of over 350,000 Haitians and other TPS holders.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
When OpenAI launched its Sora video app last fall with limited likeness protections, SAG-AFTRA condemned it, and OpenAI backed away within days.

— Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

What was the breakdown for and against and what justifications did the majority give for its decision?

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Its role is to expose wrongdoing, illuminate facts, and draw the world’s attention to crimes committed in the name of false causes and manufactured justifications.

— Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Definition of justifications

Noun

Next is a crisp 39% clearance on the Soundcore Space A40 noise-cancelling earbuds, a set of pocket-sized acoustic shields designed to instantly mute external chaos.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 13 July 2026
Once the shields are gone, players can lower its health to defeat it.

— Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of shields

Noun

At the time of their excavation during the late 19th century, archaeologists found weapons including bows and arrows that were traditionally associated with men.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026
Syrsky is known as a more traditional commander, and his reforms have focused on forming new infantry assault groups and procuring traditional weapons.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026

Definition of weapons

Noun

The room, its walls expensively craquelure'd to resemble fractured eggshells, its pale taffeta curtains billowing in the chill English breeze, is more Hollywood boudoir than office.

— Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 5 July 2026
Clean Grease Prints Similar to oil stains on clothes, chalk can also remove grease prints from doors, cabinets, walls, and other surfaces.

— Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 5 July 2026