defend

[ dih-fend ]

/ dɪˈfɛnd /

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See synonyms for: defend / defended / defending on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR defend

1 shelter, screen, shield; garrison, fortify.

2 vindicate.

See synonyms for defend on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR defend

1 attack.

See antonyms for defend on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of defend

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

synonym study for defend

1. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM defend

de·fend·a·ble, adjectivede·fend·er, nounun·de·fend·a·ble, adjectiveun·de·fend·a·bly, adverb

un·de·fend·ed, adjectivewell-de·fend·ed, adjective

Words nearby defend

defector, defederalize, defence, defence in depth, defence mechanism, defend, defendant, defender, defender of the bond, Defender of the Faith, defenestrate

How to use defend in a sentence

None of that happens so long as the party willing to harbor and defend a demagogue who threatens the republic stands in the way.
Stop trying to save the GOP. It’s hopeless.|Jennifer Rubin|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
The scene was fitting, given that the shine of adding the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner to the defending World Series champions obscured the picture of exactly what the Dodgers are getting in the enigmatic right-hander.
Trevor Bauer, unorthodox star with an unorthodox deal, gets an unorthodox Dodgers intro|Chelsea Janes|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
The Hogan administration has defended its decentralized system as critical to building an infrastructure that can ramp up when the federal government delivers more doses.
South Africa and U.K. coronavirus variants detected in D.C.; Maryland to open third mass vaccination site|Erin Cox, Julie Zauzmer, Rachel Chason|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Throughout the panel, those involved with the Oversight Board defended the project.
Facebook Oversight Board says other social networks ‘welcome to join’ if project succeeds|Taylor Hatmaker|February 11, 2021|TechCrunch

To suddenly shut them down would trigger legal actions the city can neither afford nor defend.
What’s Behind the Effort to Recall Council President Jen Campbell|Scott Lewis|February 9, 2021|Voice of San Diego
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
The Muslim Cop Killed by Terrorists|Michael Daly|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
During coverage of that issue, Farrell went on a WSMB AM radio talk show to defend Duke.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
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|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|DAILY BEAST
Which politician wants to defend federally-subsidized abortions for convicted criminals?
The GOP’s Hidden Ban on Prison Abortions|Harold Pollack|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After we had passed over this desert, we found several garisons to defend the caravans from the violence of the Tartars.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
Decide about it, ye that are learned in the ethnographic distinctions of our race—but heaven defend us from the Bourbonnaises!
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
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 Sully
Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
The 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

defend

/ (dɪˈfɛnd) /

verb

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

Derived forms of defend

defendable, adjectivedefender, noun

Word Origin for defend

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

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

defend

OTHER WORDS FOR defend

OPPOSITES FOR defend

Origin of defend

synonym study for defend

OTHER WORDS FROM defend

Words nearby defend

Words related to defend

How to use defend in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for defend

Derived forms of defend

Word Origin for defend