as in protected
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in guarded
to drive danger or attack away from
a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justified
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 defended
Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
The extended range allows aircraft to strike without entering heavily defended zones, reducing risk to pilots and platforms.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Private firefighting outfits defended companies, utilities, and ultrarich enclaves while other parts of the city burned.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Ringo recorded a defended pass and recovered the fumble Campbell forced.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
In the first three games of the year, DeJean recorded 22 tackles and a defended pass.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
In 11 games for Wisconsin, Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Sarah Dean, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
Nikola Jokic is having the worst playoff series of his career, shooting 12 for 32 and 4 for 14 from 3-point range when defended by Gobert, per ESPN.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
He was bound for the draft, though, following a pair of All-Big Ten seasons and 19 passes defended across the two — atypical immediate production for a man who transferred from James Madison to the rust belt.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Despite taking a progressive stand on labor, the Church nonetheless defended industrialization and private-property rights, forging a middle way that rejected both unfettered capitalism and socialism.
—Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
And, the 76ers defended well and were resilient.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Taaffe had 70 tackles, 2 interceptions and three passes defended last season.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Jamahl Mosley‘s group successfully shared the ball by dishing out 33 assists and defended at a high level in spurts by scoring 28 points off 20 takeaways.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Months after its withering box-office performance, Costner defended his position.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Some defended efforts by staff to correct the books, while others demanded answers on how the accounting error had gone unnoticed through three full audit cycles.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
The extended range allows aircraft to strike without entering heavily defended zones, reducing risk to pilots and platforms.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Private firefighting outfits defended companies, utilities, and ultrarich enclaves while other parts of the city burned.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Ringo recorded a defended pass and recovered the fumble Campbell forced.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
In the first three games of the year, DeJean recorded 22 tackles and a defended pass.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
In 11 games for Wisconsin, Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
Both Hezbollah and Israel have have defended their attacks and claimed that the other has violated the ceasefire.
—Sarah Dean, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
Nikola Jokic is having the worst playoff series of his career, shooting 12 for 32 and 4 for 14 from 3-point range when defended by Gobert, per ESPN.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
He was bound for the draft, though, following a pair of All-Big Ten seasons and 19 passes defended across the two — atypical immediate production for a man who transferred from James Madison to the rust belt.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Despite taking a progressive stand on labor, the Church nonetheless defended industrialization and private-property rights, forging a middle way that rejected both unfettered capitalism and socialism.
—Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
And, the 76ers defended well and were resilient.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Taaffe had 70 tackles, 2 interceptions and three passes defended last season.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Jamahl Mosley‘s group successfully shared the ball by dishing out 33 assists and defended at a high level in spurts by scoring 28 points off 20 takeaways.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Months after its withering box-office performance, Costner defended his position.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defended
Adjective
-
The extra height makes the space feel more protected and cozy.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
-
If your income comes primarily from protected sources like Social Security or disability benefits, a court judgment may pose little immediate threat.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The approach could feel guarded, reducing intense emotions to abstractions, but in Llobet’s cutting delivery, even the haziest imagery feels personal and real.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
-
About midway through the third quarter of Game 4, James once again was guarded by an attackable defender, this time Şengün.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Commissioner Rob Manfred justified the partnership by saying Polymarket pledged strong market surveillance provisions and close communication from its compliance staff and the league.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Likelihood of success To be justified, the use of force must be likely to accomplish the war’s aims.—
Valerie Morkevicius,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The site design also features restroom facilities, laundry machines, internet access and a secured perimeter with around-the-clock onsite security.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Thousands secured tickets to watch the game on a big screen just outside the building.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
John Deere signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 that partially addressed those concerns, providing third parties with the technology to diagnose and repair, as long as its intellectual property was safeguarded.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
8 Apr. 2026
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Protect Civilian Infrastructure All sides should cease strikes on civilian targets and critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, desalination plants and safeguarded nuclear sites, in line with international humanitarian law.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chatty maintained that the city should prioritize internal audits over new taxes.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
-
Well defined and placed, they are well maintained.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The ship itself is packed with detail from turrets through to tiny shielded hangars.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
Purchasing a shielded Ethernet cable means the wires are protected from electromagnetic interference, so the cables operate more efficiently.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, most of SB 4 was upheld by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
-
On Friday, the appeals court upheld a lower court’s ruling.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defended. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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