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 However, preemption doesn’t always work as a legal defense for NFL teams. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Egypt’s parliament authorized President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to support Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, with air defense systems and aircraft expected but no ground troops. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 On the other side of the ball, the Kansas City defense couldn’t generate a single sack for the fourth time this season. — Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026 The Eagles are a fairly average running defense, so Dallas could have a chance to get the ground game going. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense

Noun

Carrying several rockets lets the aircraft conduct multiple engagements in one sortie, though the number of successful interceptions will depend on the targets, engagement conditions, and available ammunition.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
The Ukrainian leader has pleaded with Washington to supply more Patriot air-defense ammunition to stop the missiles, and to heap more sanctions on Russia to pressure Moscow to pursue peace.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of ammunition

Noun

No, there's no excuse for the season going off the rails this much.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Rubio warns against delaying transition Speaking on the record during the question-and-answer portion of the call, Rubio insisted that Washington would not allow the institutional reforms to become an excuse for postponing elections indefinitely.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuse

Noun

Meta has long been criticized for its data privacy practices, and on Wednesday, a New Mexico judge ordered the company to pay $25 billion for violating the state’s consumer protection laws.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
And Paulino’s research into plantas de poder (plants of power), used for spiritual protection in Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, has only deepened, the relationship between her plants and the cycles of day and night becoming more expansive.

— Tatiane de Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of protection

Noun

Harbaugh won't use injuries as an excuse, just as coach Sean McVay won't point to missing Garrett for five games and Donald for two as justification for the Rams' woes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Stewart was an executive producer of his friend Colbert’s show and harshly criticized the cancellation, rejecting Paramount’s financial justification and accusing the company of bending the knee to the president.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of justification

Noun

Dozens of armored cops were still standing guard, shields raised, after a night when 500 people were taken into custody in the French capital alone.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Tortoiseshell shield sunglasses and a timeless black tote complete the casual-meets-cool outfit.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shield

Noun

For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
For that reason, Republicans believe the seat is a likely pickup this fall in what is otherwise a difficult midterm environment.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

The latest incidents, which follow a slew of reports of agents unexpectedly breaking out of sandboxes, showcased how even the safeguards built to corral AI systems are vulnerable to the technology.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
In both cases, the AI agents considered whether monitoring safeguards should be preserved but interpreted routine coding instructions as permission to weaken them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of safeguard

Noun

Understanding exactly how fusion works, in the grittiest detail, is therefore of extreme interest to nuclear-weapons scientists.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Obituaries for nuclear weapons simply misapprehend the role these arms have played since 1945.

— Eric S. Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026