Defense and Pretext

Related words

Defense noun - An explanation that frees one from fault or blame.

Usage example: there's absolutely no defense for your actions

Show all Definitions

Pretext and defense are semantically related in excuse topic. In some cases you can use "Pretext" instead a noun "Defense".

Pretext noun - Something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason.

Show all Definitions

Defense and pretext are semantically related in excuse topic. Sometimes you can use "Defense" instead a noun "Pretext".

Nearby Word: pretexting

More likely exploited, in that Tomoe already loved Seibei, and his defense of her honor merely gave her the pretext she needed to take a role in his, and his family's, life.

Source: Film / The Twilight Samurai
Pretext for War: When China is preparing to invade Russia, the Chinese Defense Minister suggests that they shoot down a Russian recon plane, and then claim that it had invaded Chinese airspace as a justification for the invasion.

Source: Literature / The Bear and the Dragon

Cite this Source

Pretext and Defense. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/defense/pretext

Defense & Pretext. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/defense/pretext>.

Pretext or Defense. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/defense/pretext.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "defense" and "pretext" have occurred on timeline