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
Adopting a Zero Trust security model not only hardens defenses but also enables digital business innovation by ensuring that new services are built on a trustworthy foundation, boosting user confidence and adoption.
—
Durga Krishnamoorthy, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Israeli fighter jets launched ballistic missiles from the Red Sea to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar on September 9, in a move that bypassed regional air defenses and avoided crossing into Middle Eastern airspace.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
Western powers fear the Kremlin is increasingly testing NATO defenses, particularly with a series of recent drone incursions that prompted Poland to call for the military alliance to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
—semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Those injuries can’t but help as Miami desperately tries to flex a ground game so defenses can’t drop seven in coverage, as the Patrots did all of Sunday.
—Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
The bugs’ bold movements could be a way to advertise their own chemical defenses from eating toxic plants.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Wednesday nights are for watching tape on third downs at a variety of distances and taking more notes about pressure packages and the front structures opposing defenses prefer.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Conner’s constantly able to get open shots because of the pressure Van Lith and Prince put on defenses.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
And defenses are wisely turning Bam Adebayo into a facilitator.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Durga Krishnamoorthy, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Israeli fighter jets launched ballistic missiles from the Red Sea to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar on September 9, in a move that bypassed regional air defenses and avoided crossing into Middle Eastern airspace.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
Western powers fear the Kremlin is increasingly testing NATO defenses, particularly with a series of recent drone incursions that prompted Poland to call for the military alliance to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
—semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Those injuries can’t but help as Miami desperately tries to flex a ground game so defenses can’t drop seven in coverage, as the Patrots did all of Sunday.
—Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
The bugs’ bold movements could be a way to advertise their own chemical defenses from eating toxic plants.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Wednesday nights are for watching tape on third downs at a variety of distances and taking more notes about pressure packages and the front structures opposing defenses prefer.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Conner’s constantly able to get open shots because of the pressure Van Lith and Prince put on defenses.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
And defenses are wisely turning Bam Adebayo into a facilitator.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenses
Noun
-
Reserve audits, compliance and technical safeguards must keep pace with demand, especially in regions where adoption is fastest.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Platforms promise safeguards, but in practice, graphic clips often spread faster than moderation systems can react.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When sheriff’s deputies were raiding his home in May, Mutch had excuses for both alleged crimes, according to the criminal complaint.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Bad Wi-Fi is basically a modern tragedy, and there are no excuses for living like that in 2025 anymore.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But consolidation should be considered carefully, ideally with an advisor, because there may be trade-offs in protections or access.—
Larry Light,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The Biden administration granted the protections citing a severe humanitarian emergency, a collapse of basic services, political turbulence and economic problems.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The justifications for the slaughter which started out so white hot after October 7th have cooled now, become more immaterial and incoherent.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The justifications are endless, as are the streams of books and websites making the case.—
Naomi S. Baron,
The Conversation,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Yet there is still a whiff of old-fashioned British grandeur about the production, with its fluttering pennants, Norman kite shields, and mounted knights.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Pacing yourself so your shields regenerate and picking up large green gems to produce a powerful return volley of shots is particularly satisfying.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The route, closed to the public for security reasons, was lined by 22 half-companies representing all branches of the armed forces.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The very different siblings, who are each going through their own personal life challenges, have naturally gone in separate directions over the years, and the idea of spending 10 days cooped up on a river cruise together makes each Keller child cringe for their own reasons.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And with the President safely ensconced behind the castle walls, the royal charm offensive has begun in earnest.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Launched in 2024 by Sol and Jennia Fredrique Aponte, the summit was born from a desire to create a space where artists of color can thrive beyond traditional gallery walls.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Zelensky said Russia is planning two more heavy offensives after three previous attempts failed and that allies must sustain production of drones and electronic warfare systems and keep weapons and funding flowing to support Ukraine.—
Brendan Cole
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The main concern is the stagnant nature of the offense, largely down to the absence of some key weapons – Rashee Rice is missing through suspension and Xavier Worthy suffered a freak shoulder injury in Week 1.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenses. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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