1
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to justify
to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections
she will pigheadedly defend any claim regardless of all evidence to the contrary
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defend
The defending champs paddled to victory at the first race of the 2025 Triple Crown season, New York's General Clinton Canoe Regatta, in May.
—
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
At the same time, another letter signed by prominent tech leaders defends Maguire against the backlash, this one with more than 1,400 signees.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
President Donald Trump defended the weakening U.S. dollar during a conversation with reporters Friday.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
The Brandy battle isn’t Temu’s first exposure to defending itself in court.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defend
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
At the same time, another letter signed by prominent tech leaders defends Maguire against the backlash, this one with more than 1,400 signees.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
President Donald Trump defended the weakening U.S. dollar during a conversation with reporters Friday.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
The Brandy battle isn’t Temu’s first exposure to defending itself in court.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defend
Verb
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The other eight units protected by the reserve are: How did the museum designers choose Mill Bluff?—
Sofia Joseph,
jsonline.com,
30 July 2025
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When the grid goes down, Base Power will protect customers’ homes from power outages.—
Beck Andrew Salgado,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
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However, the Commission did not indicate any sudden or unexpected event that would justify the urgency.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Lay of the land Advocates for the Golden Dome point to recent events to justify the program.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Prioritize safety, stay well-informed, and act responsibly to safeguard lives and property.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 July 2025
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In such cases, food manufacturers often issue a recall as a preventive measure to safeguard consumers.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Two-way traffic will be maintained during construction.—
Sofia Joseph,
jsonline.com,
22 July 2025
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What To Know The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, were short three seats to maintain a majority in the 248-seat upper house.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Verb
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The world’s largest Superman statue guards the town square near the Super Museum with more than 20,000 Superman artifacts.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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In her later years, Toklas carefully guarded Stein’s legacy, rebuffing, and sometimes actively thwarting, biographers.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Verb
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But in a 28-page ruling issued Tuesday, Judge Derek Sweeting upheld the lower court’s decision ordering his extradition to stand trial.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
29 July 2025
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It was upheld in several legal challenges and underpinned subsequent greenhouse gas regulations.—
Valerie Volcovici,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defend. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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