Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for defense. Search instead for defens.
Definitions

defense

[dih-fens, dee-fens] / dɪˈfɛns, ˈdi fɛns /
NOUN
armament; protection system
Synonyms
STRONG
aegis armor arms barricade bastille bastion bulwark buttress citadel cover deterrence dike embankment fastness fence fort fortification fortress garrison guard hard shell immunity munitions palisade parapet position protection rampart redoubt resistance safeguard security shelter shield stockade stronghold trench wall ward warfare weaponry weapons
Antonyms
STRONG
harm hurt injury
WEAK
betrayal capitulation desertion flight surrender yielding
NOUN
explanation, justification
Synonyms
STRONG
answer apologetics apologia apology argument cleanup cop-out exculpation excuse exoneration extenuation jive plea rationalization rejoinder reply response retort return story vindication whitewash
WEAK
apologizing excusing explaining fish story off-time song and dance
Antonyms
STRONG
charge indictment question request
WEAK
betrayal capitulation desertion flight surrender yielding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Midway through the quarter, a sequence of a Betts layup over the South Carolina defense, a Betts block of a Latson shot and a Jaquez fast-break layup gave the Bruins a resounding 22-point lead.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

The Bottom Line: European defense stocks may have more to gain.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

UCLA’s suffocating defense held the Gamecocks to 25.7% shooting in the first half.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

After finishing the accelerator program, which counts OpenAI chief Sam Altman among its graduates, Rhodes-Kropf, 21, raised $5 million for his defense tech startup, SalesPatriot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Supporters of Garfield's doctors rushed to their defense, saying that the negative comments were not based on direct observation of the patient or of the autopsy.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.