1
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to justify
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defend
Kehoe, in response to a question from The Star on Tuesday, defended his decision to push the plan at the 11th-hour.
—
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
The bill was passed with an amendment to clarify that the state, instead of schools or school districts, will defend and pay for any legal challenges to the law.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 26 May 2025
The fun gets going in the lobby of Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at 9:30 a.m. on June 21 and lasts until 3 p.m.
More culture news
The Washington Post reports that former Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter is defending the finances of the organization prior to President Trump’s takeover.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Macron has been at the forefront of efforts to agree a coordinated European response to defending Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defend
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
The bill was passed with an amendment to clarify that the state, instead of schools or school districts, will defend and pay for any legal challenges to the law.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 26 May 2025
The fun gets going in the lobby of Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at 9:30 a.m. on June 21 and lasts until 3 p.m.
More culture news
The Washington Post reports that former Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter is defending the finances of the organization prior to President Trump’s takeover.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Macron has been at the forefront of efforts to agree a coordinated European response to defending Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defend
Verb
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The emergency fund is meant to protect you against a job loss, health crisis, car breakdown or major household repair.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
Bear in mind, a tent does not protect you from lightning.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 May 2025
Verb
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This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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By confusing the idea that the people’s will must prevail with what the law actually says, these leaders justify intimidating judges and their sound legal rulings, a move that ultimately undermines democracy.—
Michael Gregory,
The Conversation,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Lee’s next test in safeguarding those interests promises to be trickier: restoring stability to South Korea following the tumultuous ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose impeachment was confirmed in April following his December 2024 declaration of martial law.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 May 2025
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When payments happen outside the App Store, the responsibility for safeguarding transactions falls to the developer.—
Chris Hewish,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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The Appropriations Committee budget, released in late April, would maintain the extra $40 million in state payments in the next two fiscal years and add another $124 million in special education grants in each of the next two years.—
Jessika Harkay,
Hartford Courant,
22 May 2025
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Conclusion Federal investment in R&D has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining the United States’ technological and economic leadership.—
Natalie Madeira Cofield,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Seeing rookies such as defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, and guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the second-round pick, out there running around with life-giving joy and their sky-high potential was refreshing.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2025
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will return to the American Century Championship, the tournament announced Tuesday.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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After facing legal challenges, a revised version of the ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
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The Founding Fathers, having witnessed the abuses of centralized power under British rule, embedded this model into the Constitution to ensure a system of checks and balances, where each branch could limit the powers of the others, safeguarding against tyranny and upholding the rule of law.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defend. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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