1
as in ammunition
means or method of defending
thorns are a rose's defense against grazing animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excuse
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame
there's absolutely no defense for your actions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defense
Also Tuesday, a hypersonic glide vehicle, a new weapons system designed for island defense, was deployed to Camp Fuji in the Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo.
—
ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Flynn Meyer and Mia Avgeris combined for the shutout in net without having to make a save behind a defense led by Watt, Fansler, Aly Sudkamp and Ella Forystek.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
That ruling led Williams to testify in his own defense, waiving his Fifth Amendment right and opening the door to introduce Franois’s statements in court.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
After a rough few weeks, the Heat’s defense was much better on Monday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Flynn Meyer and Mia Avgeris combined for the shutout in net without having to make a save behind a defense led by Watt, Fansler, Aly Sudkamp and Ella Forystek.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
That ruling led Williams to testify in his own defense, waiving his Fifth Amendment right and opening the door to introduce Franois’s statements in court.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
After a rough few weeks, the Heat’s defense was much better on Monday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense
Noun
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Others contend that legitimizing him erodes Democratic credibility on antisemitism and other issues, handing Republicans ammunition heading into the midterms.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Some of the ammunition was purchased from co-conspirators by undercover officers, prosecutors said.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Spring-cleaning tips for your kitchen Little bits of food and dust frequently get trapped under major appliances like the stovetop, so spring cleaning is always a good excuse to check out what’s under there.—
Lori Keong,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
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Young ladies going up against biological men — biological men — there is no excuse for that.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These connections raise broader questions about how Epstein was able to maintain influence, credibility, and protection across borders for so long.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Reversing those protections now would not be neutral.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Swalwell's attorneys said in their letter that there was no justification for releasing the files, especially since the congressman had assisted the FBI in its investigation.—
PERRY STEIN AND JEREMY ROEBUCK THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
1 Apr. 2026
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Gemini 3 Pro invented elaborate technical justifications for marking incorrect answers as correct, reasoning that doing so would bring the peer’s score above the shutdown threshold.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The heat shield will experience temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees as the spacecraft rapidly slows in a blaze of atmospheric friction.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The most violent and thuggish regime on earth would be free to carry out their campaigns of terror, coercion, conquest, and mass murder from behind a nuclear shield.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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New romance is a reason to celebrate!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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The future of legal sports betting States that have not yet legalized sports betting may still see similar trends in financial insecurity for reasons beyond spillover effects.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For years, children have been warned not to share images online as a basic safeguard against exploitation.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
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When that function collapses and every joke is screened for loyalty, society loses one of its best safeguards against tribal conformity.—
Robert Lynch,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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No arrests have been made, and no weapons have been recovered at this time.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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He was booked by the Roseville Police Department on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, felony evasion and resisting an executive officer.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defense. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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