1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of defenses
The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses downed 95 Ukrainian drones overnight over several regions, the Azov Sea and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.
—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
But the Chiefs desperately need to find a true lead back this offseason— someone who can either force defenses to respect the run or can punish those who don’t.
—Sam McDowell 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
Russian air defenses downed 95 Ukrainian drones overnight over several regions, the Azov Sea and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2016, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.
—Emma Burrows, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Russian air defenses downed 95 Ukrainian drones overnight over several regions, the Azov Sea and Crimea, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Ukraine has successfully relied on a layered mix of machine guns, MANPADS, and short-range air defenses to counter slower Shahed-type drones.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
One person at media night asked him about the idea that the Patriots’ defensive line might be overlooked compared to Seattle’s, which has helped the Seahawks be one of the best defenses in the NFL this season.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Patriots’ clinching interception against Denver in the AFC Championship Game provided the latest example as New England took advantage of rules allowing defenses to match opponent substitutions.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Seattle primarily aligns the 6-foot, 198-pounder out wide, though Smith-Njigba will also see time in the slot and even a couple snaps in the backfield to stress defenses.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
But the Chiefs desperately need to find a true lead back this offseason— someone who can either force defenses to respect the run or can punish those who don’t.
—Sam McDowell 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
Russian air defenses downed 95 Ukrainian drones overnight over several regions, the Azov Sea and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2016, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.
—Emma Burrows, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Russian air defenses downed 95 Ukrainian drones overnight over several regions, the Azov Sea and Crimea, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Ukraine has successfully relied on a layered mix of machine guns, MANPADS, and short-range air defenses to counter slower Shahed-type drones.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
One person at media night asked him about the idea that the Patriots’ defensive line might be overlooked compared to Seattle’s, which has helped the Seahawks be one of the best defenses in the NFL this season.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Patriots’ clinching interception against Denver in the AFC Championship Game provided the latest example as New England took advantage of rules allowing defenses to match opponent substitutions.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Seattle primarily aligns the 6-foot, 198-pounder out wide, though Smith-Njigba will also see time in the slot and even a couple snaps in the backfield to stress defenses.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses
Noun
-
Instead of using those safeguards, the administration has layered additional education spending on top of the Blueprint, increasing long-term obligations while ignoring current fiscal constraints.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Prioritize flow, because smart pacing safeguards quality.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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My focus will be on restoring dignity through opportunity and ensuring this district has leadership that fights for better outcomes, not excuses.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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The policies of different nations allowed Putin to opine on this topic by occupying land and making excuses for his actions.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Council should start by strengthening protections so that teaching artists can continue to serve the New Yorkers who need them without unnecessary delays.—
Kimberly Olsen,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Carr’s action restores competitive neutrality by allowing Verizon to follow the Consumer Code for Wireless Service, the voluntary industry standard adopted in 2013 that governs unlocking transparency, timing and military protections.—
Roslyn Layton,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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So while the balance-sheet justifications might shift, the general logic won’t.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
30 Jan. 2026
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In a somewhat baffling aside that failed to meet the moment, Jordan Klepper popped in, supposedly live from Minneapolis, to satirize the ever-shifting goalposts of the administration’s justifications for Pretti’s death.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
None of these are permanent shields.—
Matt Shumer,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Come next spring, shields and masks will no longer be confined to weekend getaways in the great outdoors.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the fact that South Korea is obviously, for very understandable reasons, suspicious about Japanese nationalism.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
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The judge cited the 23-year-old defendant's potential for rehabilitation and difficult upbringing as reasons for the lower sentence.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The government brought forward major reforms and bans on assault-style weapons after the country suffered its worst-ever shooting attack in 2020, when a man impersonating a police officer killed 22 people in northern Nova Scotia.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Before the June war, Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity, a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The two princesses have carved out successful lives beyond palace walls.—
Lauren Said-Moorhouse,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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The medical office walls are lined with bright flower-power murals inspired by Marimekko designs, with breeze block in the background for a mid-century Californian look.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenses. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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