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 Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 258 Ukrainian drones overnight. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 The new aircraft is expected to cost less than $30 million per unit while offering greater flexibility and survivability in modern conflicts, where large, expensive drones have become increasingly vulnerable to advanced air defenses. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 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 Ukraine hit back, officials in Russia say Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 258 Ukrainian drones overnight. — CBS News, 30 July 2026 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that Russia launched more than 70 missile and over 280 drones at Ukraine overnight, adding that the country's air defenses intercepted a significant number of the incoming missiles. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 Certainly, defenses had a better read on what Daniels and former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury wanted to do every week. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Thompson also would bring gravity to the Heat’s offense, as a three-point shooter that demands the respect of defenses. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 Organizations responsible for protecting national security must be able to verify that their defenses actually work. — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses

Noun

The earliest cases dated to April and occurred in evaluation environments that lacked what the company described as standard safeguards.

— Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
But Nhan said the cameras also raise privacy concerns and should be paired with strict safeguards governing how the technology is used, how long data is stored and who can access it.

— Briauna Brown, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

In June, a federal judge ruled against Katherine and Garry Leach, finding that federal courts could not weigh in on how churches spend their donations, citing First Amendment protections.

— Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Children who are victims of trafficking or abuse, for example, are entitled to special protections.

— Chiara Eisner, NPR, 1 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

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
Multiple noise mitigation efforts were undertaken — sound walls, scream shields and even pea gravel in the coaster’s tracks.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of shields

Noun

The reasons why the world is turning up its nose at oil are complex.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
For a variety of reasons, three intriguing All-Stars — the Colorado Rockies’ Hunter Goodman, Athletics’ Shea Langeliers and Baltimore Orioles switch-hitter Adley Rutschman — are less likely to move.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of reasons

Noun

The militant group Hamas has reached an agreement with the Board of Peace – tasked with implementing a long term ceasefire plan in Gaza – to relinquish its weapons, a senior official told CNN on Friday.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Police weapons are expected to be the first arms to be relinquished.

— Emma Nicholson, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of weapons

Noun

Hundreds of bottles of hot sauce and meat rubs line the exterior walls.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Built on a lakeside island as a summer home and architectural laboratory, it is best known for its courtyard walls, where Aalto tested different brick patterns, materials and construction techniques.

— David Nikel, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026