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
Industries involved in defense production are still expanding, but at rates well below their peaks in 2023.
—
Alexandra Prokopenko, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025
Automatically, one arm went up in defense, which may have saved his life.
—Al Wolter, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025
In his first three seasons, Glenn’s defenses have ranked 31st, 28th and 23rd in points allowed.
—Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Once the Panthers upgrade their defense, the offensive line is largely set.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for defense 
Alexandra Prokopenko, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025
Automatically, one arm went up in defense, which may have saved his life.
—Al Wolter, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025
In his first three seasons, Glenn’s defenses have ranked 31st, 28th and 23rd in points allowed.
—Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Once the Panthers upgrade their defense, the offensive line is largely set.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for defense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense
Noun
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After a physical altercation, the men set the home ablaze — with her inside — and escaped with a green safe, a Beretta handgun, an AK-47-style rifle, jade figurines and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, the FBI said.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
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There were also numerous boxes of ammunition, three license plates, and some clothing.—
Emma Steele,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But the Heat didn’t want to use travel as an excuse for what happened against the Nuggets.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 Jan. 2025
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Most operators are not using it as an excuse to make more money.—
Doug Gollan,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Former President Biden reinstated and extended the protection in 2021, Bolton said.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
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Trump’s speech reflected his plan to roll back protections for transgender people and terminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Johnson did not cite a reason for Turner’s removal, but Turner told CBS News that the speaker cited concerns from Mar-a-Lago as justification.—
Cami Mondeaux,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
16 Jan. 2025
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The letter, published on Jan. 14, points out that Walmart has not provided financial or business justifications for this policy change.—
Francisco Velasquez,
Quartz,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Critics point out that safeguards often lag behind AI’s deployment.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes,
28 Jan. 2025
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While Replika ostensibly is only for users over 18, Hiner says that many teens use the platform by bypassing the app’s safeguards.—
Andrew R. Chow,
TIME,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The reason for the delay, says Goswell, was due to Lush’s lack of experience with electronics.—
Victoria Turk,
WIRED,
26 Jan. 2025
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What Nafisi does best, and the reason her work has endured, is precisely to refuse cartoonish portrayals and basic morality plays.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And this doesn’t factor in Greenland, with its massive – if declining – freshwater ice shield.—
Peter A. Coclanis,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2025
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But Danielle’s odd choices of who to give shields to raise eyebrows.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Indeed, the possession of large-scale nuclear arms has been such a powerful tool to gain influence that these weapons have not been used in 80 years.—
Tomas J. Philipson,
National Review,
30 Jan. 2025
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After the deputy found the weapon, the Tarrant County Fire Marshal’s Office, Fort Worth Fire Department Bomb Squad, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to the scene.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near defense
Cite this Entry
“Defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defense. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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