defended 1 of 2

adjective

as in protected

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defended

2 of 2

verb

past tense of defend
1
as in guarded
to drive danger or attack away from a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justified
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 defended
Adjective
That additional space supports higher burnout velocity and helps expand the interceptor’s defended area. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 The line of four large and heavily defended cities, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) long, has been key to denying Moscow its goal of seizing Ukraine's industrial heartland. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 Every additional defended point becomes a resource allocation problem for Moscow. — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Speaking at Fortune’s Workforce Innovation Summit on Tuesday, the 31-year-old defended sweeping workforce cuts at Bolt—including a recent layoff affecting roughly 30% of employees—as well as his decision to eliminate the company’s HR team. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 May 2026 Some defended efforts by staff to correct the books, while others demanded answers on how the accounting error had gone unnoticed through three full audit cycles. — Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 1 May 2026 Private firefighting outfits defended companies, utilities, and ultrarich enclaves while other parts of the city burned. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025 Ringo recorded a defended pass and recovered the fumble Campbell forced. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 In the first three games of the year, DeJean recorded 22 tackles and a defended pass. — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
Buc-ee's has defended the lawsuit as protective of its valuable trademark. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 Villarreal’s decision to sign Partey drew criticism in Spain, the UK and elsewhere, but president Fernando Roig defended the move. — Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 In 1999, Khalid Khannouchi defended his Peachtree title during the 30th running of the race in 27 minutes and 45 seconds. — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Details of most of the deals are never made public and some of the African nations, like Ghana’s government, have defended their actions as having been taken on humanitarian grounds. — Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The Republicans in attendance on Thursday largely defended the new district. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026 In response to a list of questions that ProPublica submitted to the governor’s office, a spokesperson defended the amendment using much the same language that critics call deceptive. — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2026 Bass defended Inside Safe, a housing initiative launched by Bass to move people from street encampments into temporary motel and hotel rooms. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026 Summary Islam Makhachev successfully defended his welterweight title at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, securing a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
  1. protected
  2. guarded
  3. justified
  4. secured
  5. safeguarded
  6. maintained
  7. shielded
  8. upheld
Adjective
  • The main Wekiva River was designated by Congress in 2000 as a protected National Wild and Scenic River.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
  • This includes Ukraine, where the Russian language recently lost protected status.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of protected
Verb
  • Dan Lawlor, who was one of the people who guarded the door, took the stand previously.
    — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Mice predisposed to retinal disease were being guarded and watched, around the clock, like tiny celebrities.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of guarded
Verb
  • Tokayev, who has sought to maintain a delicate balance between Moscow and the West since sanctions were imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine, has justified the changes by citing the need for rapid decision-making in a fast-changing world.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Carrick is justified in minding against an overreaction — and United won the next game after both of their defeats under him last season — but his team will need to be so much better for the visit of Ipswich Town.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of justified
Adjective
  • It was measured by the frequency with which a firm took a leading role in investment rounds and secured board representation in its portfolio companies.
    — TIME Staff, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Rate reductions for autopay, homeowners, secured loans and direct pay to creditors.
    — CNBC Select, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of secured
Verb
  • In theory, the paper maintains its independence through a 1994 congressional framework and First Amendment protections safeguarded by Congress.
    — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Longtime Webb producer Fred Mollin, who safeguarded the compositions for years, helped bring them back into the light.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of safeguarded
Verb
  • The Very Large Crude Carrier – the largest oil tanker class, stretching over 1,000 feet – maintained a steady pace of 13 knots across the Persian Gulf, near its top speed.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Collin County First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye, meanwhile, told the court that the trial defense attorneys agreed to the arrangement and maintained that it was held.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of maintained
Adjective
  • The titular hero was born on the doomed alien world of Krypton, and grew up in a shielded city that managed to survive the planet’s initial destruction.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026
  • The pipe welding certificate program will focus on gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and shielded metal arc welding, according to the ECC website.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Definition of shielded
Verb
  • The settlement comes after an appeals court upheld a $495 million judgment against Abbott in the high-profile case earlier this year.
    — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Nationals challenged the call, but the decision was upheld after a review.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of upheld

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defender
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Cite this Entry

“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defended

Nglish: Translation of defended for Spanish Speakers

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