Defense.
Synonyms:
| apology, | guard, | rampart, | shelter, |
| bulwark, | justification, | resistance, | shield, |
| fortress, | protection, | safeguard, | vindication. |
The weak may speak or act in defense of the strong; none but the powerful can assure others of protection. A defense is ordinarily against actual attack; protection is against possible as well as actual dangers. We speak of defense against an assault, protection from the cold. Vindication is a triumphant defense of character and conduct against charges of error or wrong. Compare APOLOGY.
Antonyms:
abandonment, betrayal, capitulation, desertion, flight, surrender.
Prepositions:
Defense against assault or assailants; in law, defense to an action, from the testimony.