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

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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 Longtime safety Harrison Smith might not return for 2026, costing the Vikings defense its connective tissue, invaluable in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ chaotic schemes. — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026 Google DeepMind is struggling to retain its technical edge, keep hold of top researchers, and contain an employee revolt over its defense work. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 Its Orbital Carrier and Viper OTX programs are intended to provide pre-positioned and on-demand orbital transfer capabilities for defense, civil and commercial operators. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026 Rather than having origins in crime prevention or cybersecurity or national defense, the Orb has origins in cryptocurrency. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense

Noun

North Korea, in turn, has sent ammunition and soldiers to fight for Russia in its war in Ukraine.

— ZHENG JIYONG, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
Failing that, Zelenskyy wants to make Patriot ammunition in Ukraine or get approval from Elon Musk to use his Starlink satellite communications system to guide strikes inside Russia that can hit its missile launchers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of ammunition

Noun

Making suffering the defining criterion of consciousness misdiagnoses our failure and gives us an excuse not to recognize consciousness if treating another mind as a tool or resource is more convenient.

— Andréa Morris, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The Wings will have played six games in 12 days, but Fernandez wouldn’t use that as an excuse for his team.

— Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of excuse

Noun

The pact gives Saudi Arabia a powerful new layer of protection beyond its longstanding security partnership with the United States amid growing regional doubts over whether Washington can still be relied upon to protect its oil-rich Gulf allies.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
The durable and flexible HydroSport are full-protection and dry fast in wet conditions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of protection

Noun

When it’s finally revealed that there are monstrous beings at work, there’s little justification of what their goals are.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
An upbeat news report explains that rates of teen pregnancy are down, which is a very 1980s justification.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of justification

Noun

These groups that are coming here are coming for one reason, and that is to provoke a reaction and generate attention.

— Heath Kalb, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
The suit maintains that the commission’s denial does not identify any adverse impact to a wetland function or value, nor any feasible and prudent alternatives to address the Commission’s reasons for denial, in violation of state law, Conn.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the Google Earth feature will return after additional safeguards are developed.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
The possibility of insider trading, Kalshi argues, will be minimized by company safeguards verifying employment and tools to surveil for unusual market activity.

— Bobby Allyn, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of safeguard

Noun

Authorities have yet to determine how the teenager gained access to the weapon, a handgun that police said belonged to his grandfather.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
The teen stabbed a police officer with a knife and stole his weapon -- a 9mm pistol -- just before the incident, then used it to carry out the attack.

— CBS News, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026