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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.

The episode exposed a fault line in Silicon Valley between engineers who viewed autonomous targeting as an ethical red line and defense officials who saw it as essential.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Launched in February, the fund owns big European industrials and defense suppliers such as Rhinemetall AG, BAE Systems PLC, Airbus SE, and Safran SA.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Meghan Blanco, a former federal prosecutor and veteran defense attorney, suggested Gee’s inaction with Essayli might be a clever act of resistance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 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

With a howling battle cry, teeth bared and fists raised, the Incorrigibles rushed to the defense of the babies by forming an Incorrigible pyramid in front of the cradle.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

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