defend

[dih-fend]

verb (used with object)

1. to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from oragainst ).

   The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.

   Synonyms: fortify, garrison, shield, screen, shelter
   Antonyms: attack

2. to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold.

   She defended her claim successfully.

   Synonyms: vindicate

3. to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).

4. Law.,  to serve as attorney for (a defendant).

   He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.

5. 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.

6. 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.

verb (used without object)

1. Law.,  to enter or make a defense.

2. Sports.,  to prevent the opposing team from scoring.

   She’s a freshman who already scores and defends like a professional.

defend

/ dɪˈfɛnd /

verb

1. to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on

2. (tr) to support in the face of criticism, esp by argument or evidence

3. to represent (a defendant) in court in a civil or criminal action

4. sport to guard or protect (oneself, one's goal, etc) against attack

5. (tr) to protect (a championship or title) against a challenge

Other Word Forms

• defendable adjective
• defender noun
• undefendable adjective
• undefendably adverb
• undefended adjective
• well-defended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defend¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English defenden, from Old French défendre, from Latin dēfendere “to ward off, repel,” from dē- de- + -fendere “to strike” ( bane ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of defend¹

C13: from Old French defendre, from Latin dēfendere to ward off, from _de- + -fendere to strike

Synonym Study

Defend, guard, preserve, protect all mean to keep safe. To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To preserve is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a single instance or continuously: to preserve a spirit of conciliation. To protect is to keep safe by interposing a shield or barrier: to protect books by means of heavy paper covers.

Example Sentences

"Unless Japan can defend itself, its fate will always be at the mercy of shallow US opinion," she concluded.

From BBC

Speaking on his podcast this week, Bill Burr defended his Riyadh performance in the face of the backlash.

From BBC

Lorena Gonzalez, the former lawmaker who wrote the bill, said she’s been trying to find a lawmaker to do “cleanup legislation” that would make it easier for jurisdictions to defend themselves against fraudulent claims.

From Los Angeles Times

There was no immediate response from Venezuela but its president, Nicolás Maduro, has previously condemned the strikes and said his country will defend itself against US "aggression".

From BBC

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme Polanski said Ali was right to apologise, but he would "defend his right to be annoyed and upset by what is happening in Palestine".

From BBC

Related Words

• contend 
• fight 
• fight for www.thesaurus.com
• guard 
• hold 
• maintain 
• oppose 
• preserve 
• prevent 
• resist 
• safeguard 
• secure 
• shield 
• uphold