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.

He has his defenses up, he has his heart guarded, Smoke’s been through war, Smoke’s been through the gangster stuff in Chicago, but Elijah lost his daughter.

From Los Angeles Times

The defense is rolling and should present problems for a Cowboys team that looks like it’s packing it in.

From Los Angeles Times

The overall issuance volume represents a new high for the German government, which announced large-scale investment and defense expenditure programs earlier this year for the coming years.

From MarketWatch

The more they negotiated with it, the more Claudius’s defenses started to weaken.

From The Wall Street Journal

The funding would support the development of a defense system that Lai has called the “T-Dome”—an echo of Israel’s Iron Dome.

From The Wall Street Journal

defense

Example Sentences

Related Words