DEFENSE Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

defense

noun

di-ˈfen(t)s

Definition of defense

as in ammunition

means or method of defending thorns are a rose's defense against grazing animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defense The leaky defense allowed Timothy Castagne to charge into the 18-yard box, settle the ball and curl a pass across to Charles De Ketelaere, who made an easy finish to give Belgium a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. — Miami Herald, 7 July 2026 That would be Costa in goal; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, and Mendes in defense; Neves and Vitinha in defensive midfield; Neto, Fernandes, and Leão in attacking midfield; and Ronaldo as the striker. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026 Defence spending as a share of GDP has dropped since 1986, when Cold War priorities and the United States' role as NATO's key nuclear deterrent against the Soviet Union drove higher defense spending. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Buchhorn’s conviction was overturned in 2021, after the Court of Appeals of Kansas found Buchhorn’s defense did not sufficiently question Erik Mitchell of Frontier Forensics Midwest, an independent contractor who performed Oliver’s autopsy. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for defense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense

Noun

McBride said Robinson's DNA was found on the towel and the rifle, and similar ammunition was found at his home.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Explosions at Ndjili International Airport in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, triggered by a fire in an ammunition dump, kill more than 100 people.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026

Definition of ammunition

Noun

Talk of consumer protection could be a result of recent allegations against Miller, who joined ESPN in 2021.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
The organization warned that as search-and-rescue teams begin to scale back operations, humanitarian needs—particularly food, medical care and protection services—could intensify rather than diminish.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of protection

Noun

Alarum also says its SDKs are meant for bandwidth-sharing with notice, consent and safeguards.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Leaders should be careful about sharing sensitive company information, employee details, legal matters or confidential strategy without the right safeguards.

— Rawad Baroud, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of safeguard

Noun

Officials have not reported discovering caches containing cash, gold or weapons and have not publicly commented on the broader allegations.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
The department will also deploy counterterrorism resources, explosive detection K-9s, bomb squad personnel and heavy weapons teams, along with plain clothes officers and a harbor unit for the waterways.

— Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 2 July 2026