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 Trump made headway by pushing allies to shoulder their fair share of the defense burden; NATO members and Asian allies are substantially increasing their defense budgets. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 Taking out a single satellite in a constellation of dozens would have little effect on ICEYE’s capacity to support its customers, which also include the US military and several European defense ministries. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 Aerospace and defense contracts paid for the capital-intensive installation of a manufacturing base. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 But scoring just 14 points against a Carolina defense that allowed 59 points earlier this season is not good enough. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defense

Noun

Investigators later seized three guns and ammunition from Bjornholt’s home.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Paporakis had hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition and a manifesto expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, police said.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of ammunition

Noun

This is a unit that features two-star receivers, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, so there's no excuse for that.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
As someone who thinks NYE is a bit overrated, a wedding feels like the perfect excuse to dress up to the nines and celebrate.

— Fred Sahai, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuse

Noun

Members sign up to a set of guidelines around victim protection, attend events and host seminars.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Instead, revenue protection mode—according to the DOJ—prioritized maintaining revenue by leasing fewer apartments at higher prices.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of protection

Noun

Such well-being is appealed to only as a smokescreen for the argument's true purpose, the justification of the administration's policies toward immigrants.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
In doing so, defending their life felt like something akin to murder, despite her justification.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of justification

Noun

But Howard club tennis players say safeguards should already be in place to prevent incidents like this.

— Ashley Paul, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
The issue is reshaping the governor’s race, as Republican Joe Lombardo and Democrat Aaron Ford spar over development, tax breaks and safeguards for electricity bills and water supplies.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of safeguard

Noun

Zelenskyy said Russia had attacked Ukraine with more than 100 weapons since Monday evening.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
In late August, Davis was found guilty of murder with the use of a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026