as in protected
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in guarded
to drive danger or attack away from
a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justified
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 defended
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
Private firefighting outfits defended companies, utilities, and ultrarich enclaves while other parts of the city burned.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Ringo recorded a defended pass and recovered the fumble Campbell forced.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
In the first three games of the year, DeJean recorded 22 tackles and a defended pass.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
In 11 games for Wisconsin, Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
As protests have mounted in major cities in recent months in response to ICE actions, White House officials have defended their immigration record.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Kilkelly vehemently defended her innocence, and the original charges against her were dismissed in November 2024 by Lake County Circuit Court Judge Patricia Fix.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
The White House initially defended the post, but after the flood of bipartisan outrage, pivoted to blaming it on an unnamed staffer.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
The Stockton Kings defended their home court, coming away with a 113-98 victory, climbing to tie for first in the West at 13-6.
—Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
The International Skating Union defended a judge's controversial score that left Madison Chock and Evan Bates just short of Olympic gold earlier this week.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
He has been defended by the guard on numerous occasions.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Appearing, again, with Hannity, Bongino defended his prior contention that some jobs traffic in facts and others in opinions.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The preservation was so exceptional that the researchers could identify countershading patterns, indicating this armored dinosaur relied on camouflage despite its heavily defended appearance.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
Private firefighting outfits defended companies, utilities, and ultrarich enclaves while other parts of the city burned.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Ringo recorded a defended pass and recovered the fumble Campbell forced.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
In the first three games of the year, DeJean recorded 22 tackles and a defended pass.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
In 11 games for Wisconsin, Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
Government officials have defended officers’ actions as necessary and justified, while giving misleading or false accounts of some clashes.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
As protests have mounted in major cities in recent months in response to ICE actions, White House officials have defended their immigration record.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Kilkelly vehemently defended her innocence, and the original charges against her were dismissed in November 2024 by Lake County Circuit Court Judge Patricia Fix.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
The White House initially defended the post, but after the flood of bipartisan outrage, pivoted to blaming it on an unnamed staffer.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
The Stockton Kings defended their home court, coming away with a 113-98 victory, climbing to tie for first in the West at 13-6.
—Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
The International Skating Union defended a judge's controversial score that left Madison Chock and Evan Bates just short of Olympic gold earlier this week.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
He has been defended by the guard on numerous occasions.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Appearing, again, with Hannity, Bongino defended his prior contention that some jobs traffic in facts and others in opinions.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
Adjective
-
In addition to the anxiety over Monday's ruling, Petit said, Haitians under protected status were living amid an uptick in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in areas with large Haitian communities in South Florida.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Isabella Rodriguez, Florida elections director at Citizens Defending Freedom, said religion is also a protected class.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That project is for ITV and Deadline understands another drama for the commercial broadcaster is slated for production in 2026, but details of that thriller are being closely guarded.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Your warmth can melt guarded moments without crossing boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Any increase should be a last resort and carefully justified to protect residents already facing rising costs.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Government officials have defended officers’ actions as necessary and justified, while giving misleading or false accounts of some clashes.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
So, if you're overwhelmed by both secured and unsecured balances, prioritize the unsecured debts that are more flexible when negotiating forgiveness or settlements.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
This means everything needs to be taken into consideration, from the use of entities to secured obligations and contractual governance.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
All those billion plus users need to upgrade to ensure their phones and data are safeguarded.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But how can something so intangible be safeguarded?—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Despite the complexity of multiple partners, De la Rosa maintained his creative vision.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
While standard chemical leaching (without microbes) performed worse in microgravity than on Earth, the microbes maintained consistent extraction levels regardless of gravity.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In a joint statement, survivors of Epstein have called the files incomplete and said that while the release is being framed as transparent, some of the documents reveal survivors’ names and identifying details, while alleged abusers and enablers remain shielded from public scrutiny.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
-
There was some cowering in seats, some shielded eyes and a general atmosphere of dread.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Its intent was upheld in a series of legal challenges to the Legislature’s redistricting in 2012.—
Michael Van Sickler,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Any plan that begins and ends with Lower Basin cutbacks, those states have said, is likely to trigger a lawsuit aimed at ensuring the compact is upheld.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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