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
Both President Donald Trump and the nation’s defense secretary raised the issue of altitude on Friday morning.
—
Pete Muntean, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
The young centers will face a key test against Butler, which boasts the No. 1 rebounding defense in the conference at a higher offensive rebounding percentage than the Huskies.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Feb. 2025
His spineless vice president and defense secretary then echoed Trump’s garbage.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025
Hidalgo’s defense attorney, David Haas, said in a statement to McClatchy News on Jan. 31 that the inmate provoked and threatened Hidalgo, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for defense 
Pete Muntean, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
The young centers will face a key test against Butler, which boasts the No. 1 rebounding defense in the conference at a higher offensive rebounding percentage than the Huskies.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Feb. 2025
His spineless vice president and defense secretary then echoed Trump’s garbage.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025
Hidalgo’s defense attorney, David Haas, said in a statement to McClatchy News on Jan. 31 that the inmate provoked and threatened Hidalgo, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 31 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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The reincarnated version differed from the original a bit, so there’s an excuse for not recognizing it at first glance — even if Reid was insistent the play-call in the huddle would be identical to one barked out by head coach Hank Stram to receiver Gloster Richardson long ago.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
31 Jan. 2025
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While an excuse is never needed to treat yourself to a new designer handbag, discovering a massive sale on highly coveted styles doesn’t hurt.—
Lauren Fischer,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Trump administration’s decision Sunday leaves hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in danger of being sent back to the South American country in 60 days when the protection expires.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 Feb. 2025
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The law carves out protections for pregnant women who obtain the drug without a prescription to take on their own.—
SARA CLINE AND GEOFF MULVIHILL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent to their offices Sunday about the justification by DHS for terminating TPS for Venezuelan recipients who’d received the designation from the Biden administration in 2023.—
Claire Healy,
Miami Herald,
2 Feb. 2025
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On Thursday, a USAID human resources official who tried to reverse the action, saying there was no justification for it, was himself placed on leave, according to two of the officials who had viewed internal emails and verified them as authentic.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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Critics point out that safeguards often lag behind AI’s deployment.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The reason: In many parts of North Carolina, there is only one poultry company that contracts with farmers.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
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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
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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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
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near defense
Cite this Entry
“Defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defense. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
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