1
as in protects
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 justifies
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 defends
Continue reading … NO MORE STUDIES – Gov Moore defends veto of reparations commission, calls for immediate action instead.
—
FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
But she's also been a team member that defends, that goes up against great threats.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
But those who disagree or have an outright distaste for NASCAR’s current playoff system only get more annoyed when Logano defends it.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The White House defends military operations as stemming the tide of drugs.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
Israel's prison service defends its treatment, but human rights groups report serious abuses.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Carrie is in love with Richard, defends him, and even punishes Laura by starving her for multiple days.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
This one is about the tactics ICE is using in its immigration enforcement, with a former cop and agent who mostly defends them.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Olympia Entertainment denies any discrimination and defends the firing.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 10 Oct. 2025
FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
But she's also been a team member that defends, that goes up against great threats.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
But those who disagree or have an outright distaste for NASCAR’s current playoff system only get more annoyed when Logano defends it.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The White House defends military operations as stemming the tide of drugs.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
Israel's prison service defends its treatment, but human rights groups report serious abuses.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Carrie is in love with Richard, defends him, and even punishes Laura by starving her for multiple days.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
This one is about the tactics ICE is using in its immigration enforcement, with a former cop and agent who mostly defends them.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Olympia Entertainment denies any discrimination and defends the firing.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defends
Verb
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Covering cilantro with cloches and adding mulch around your plants protects them from chilly weather.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
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The justices found the organization’s policy violated the state’s Human Rights Act, which protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rethinking Schools’ text justifies much of the Black Panther Party’s mission, despite its members’ open calls for violent revolution against the United States and their many armed, and occasionally deadly, confrontations with law enforcement and rival activists.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Oct. 2025
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The church must name abuse as sin and reject any misuse of Scripture that justifies endurance in violence.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This, plus the ongoing calls among family members, maintains a powerful sense of human connection and love.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Baring’s business tries to generate between 3 and 6 percentage points of return above traditional nonbank lending, but Searles maintains that doesn’t come with extra risk.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These attacks on universities are attempts to control thought, subdue social movements advocating for change and promote an orthodoxy that upholds those in power.—
Elizabeth Anne Wood,
The Conversation,
21 Oct. 2025
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The law upholds that commitment.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Landau understands and supports not just Bruce’s vision but Bruce himself, which is how Nebraska, so bleak and bewitching, eventually emerges into the world.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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One where technology quietly supports independence, rather than defines it.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defends. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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