defend
to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against): The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.
to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold: She defended her claim successfully.
to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).
Law. to serve as attorney for (a defendant): He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.
to support (an argument, theory, etc.) in the face of criticism; prove the validity of (a dissertation, thesis, or the like) by answering arguments and questions put by a committee of specialists.
Sports. to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger: A fortuitous trade has landed him on the team defending the World Series championship.
Law. to enter or make a defense.
Sports. to prevent the opposing team from scoring: She’s a freshman who already scores and defends like a professional.
Origin of defend
1synonym study For defend
Other words for defend
Opposites for defend
Other words from defend
- de·fend·a·ble, adjective
- de·fend·er, noun
- un·de·fend·a·ble, adjective
- un·de·fend·a·bly, adverb
- un·de·fend·ed, adjective
- well-de·fend·ed, adjective
Words Nearby defend
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use defend in a sentence
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
During coverage of that issue, Farrell went on a WSMB AM radio talk show to defend Duke.
When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”
Are Police Stealing People’s Property? | Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST“Once we get to the point of being able to defend the case, then the thing can move forward,” he told the Beast.
Prosecutors Have No Idea When 9/11 Mastermind’s Trial Will Start | Tim Mak | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhich politician wants to defend federally-subsidized abortions for convicted criminals?
After we had passed over this desert, we found several garisons to defend the caravans from the violence of the Tartars.
Decide about it, ye that are learned in the ethnographic distinctions of our race—but heaven defend us from the Bourbonnaises!
Later on, I believe, a child is wont to have his favourite colour, and to be ready to defend it against the preferences of others.
Children's Ways | James SullyLearn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousThe victims were unable to defend themselves or escape by flight, and the slaughter was terrible.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
British Dictionary definitions for defend
/ (dɪˈfɛnd) /
to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on
(tr) to support in the face of criticism, esp by argument or evidence
to represent (a defendant) in court in a civil or criminal action
sport to guard or protect (oneself, one's goal, etc) against attack
(tr) to protect (a championship or title) against a challenge
Origin of defend
1Derived forms of defend
- defendable, adjective
- defender, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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