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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.

For all the attention around the Longhorns’ defense in this tournament, it was UCLA’s that carried Friday’s semifinal as it dictated the pace by not letting the Longhorns run.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The Saudi military protects a nearby palace with air defenses including a Patriot system whose coverage extends to the Diplomatic Quarter, former U.S. defense officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

That is high for an aerospace and defense company, but not unprecedented.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

For 2027, President Donald Trump is asking for a record military defense budget of $1.5 trillion as part of the White House’s proposed budget plan.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 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.