1
as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from
a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifies
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 defends
After the game, Willard defends his comments questioning Maryland’s name, image and likeness funds compared with those of other Big Ten counterparts.
—
C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025
Platt defends his record Platt was not present.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
There’s no shortage of video, transcripts and legislative action in which Rubio defends democratic principles such as freedom of assembly and vilifies countries that repress those freedoms.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2025
Boston mayor defends sanctuary city status 3.
—Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
Martinez defends this reversal by saying that CPS has no legal obligation to make this payment.
—Jason Ervin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
However, the White House defends its stance, claiming the AP failed to comply with an executive order requiring the Gulf of Mexico to be referred to as the Gulf of America.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
When Watson defends like this, any offensive success is gravy.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
Not every team defends well enough to prevent the Celtics from taking 3-pointer after 3-pointer.
—Jay King, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025
Platt defends his record Platt was not present.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
There’s no shortage of video, transcripts and legislative action in which Rubio defends democratic principles such as freedom of assembly and vilifies countries that repress those freedoms.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2025
Boston mayor defends sanctuary city status 3.
—Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
Martinez defends this reversal by saying that CPS has no legal obligation to make this payment.
—Jason Ervin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
However, the White House defends its stance, claiming the AP failed to comply with an executive order requiring the Gulf of Mexico to be referred to as the Gulf of America.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
When Watson defends like this, any offensive success is gravy.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
Not every team defends well enough to prevent the Celtics from taking 3-pointer after 3-pointer.
—Jay King, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
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Finally, the Moisture Shield seals in the deep hydration and protects against environmental aggressors.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes,
11 Dec. 2024
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An expensive proposition Experts say the UnitedHealthcare killing made clear that the security blanket that protects many top CEOs should be extended to their lieutenants.—
Matt Egan,
CNN,
11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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While this initiative aims to reward family formation, DOT also justifies its stance by saying projects will go to areas with rising populations, which presumably would need them in years to come.—
Haisten Willis,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
10 Mar. 2025
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, has condemned the United States for deploying an aircraft carrier to South Korea, calling the move a provocative act that justifies its nuclear program.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
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The company, which maintains a database with the genetic information of over 15 million people, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings on Sunday.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Such emerging opportunities can also be applied to cost benchmarking, scope-of-work planning and management, client-agency performance evaluations and many other key marketing functions that procurement supports.—
Bruno Gralpois,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
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But for people living with chronic pain, experts agreed this research supports the idea that healthy eating could be a tool for some relief.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
3 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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