defend

[ dih-fend ]

/ dɪˈfɛnd /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR defend 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.

to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger.

verb (used without object)

Law. to enter or make a defense.

QUIZZES

Fend Off Sciolism With This Word Of The Day Quiz

Are you the Cinderella of this week’s quiz? Test your memory on the words and definitions from March 23–29.

Question 1 of 7

schlep

to say or do hesitantly or awkwardly

to fold or wind around something

to carry; lug

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of defend

1200–50; Middle English defenden < Old French defendre < Latin dēfendere to ward off, equivalent to dē- de- + -fendere to strike

SYNONYMS FOR defend

1 shelter, screen, shield; garrison, fortify.

2 vindicate.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR defend ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR defend

1 attack.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR defend ON THESAURUS.COM

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, nounpre·de·fend, verb (used with object)un·de·fend·a·ble, adjective

un·de·fend·a·ble·ness, nounun·de·fend·a·bly, adverbun·de·fend·ed, adjectiveun·de·fend·ing, adjectivewell-de·fend·ed, adjective

Words nearby defend

defector, defederalize, defence, defence in depth, defence mechanism, defend, defendant, defender of the bond, defender of the faith, defenestrate, defenestration

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for defender

He could be remade into a defender of the environment, a preserver of habitats and champion of rainforest ecology.
Can Tarzan of the Apes Survive in a Post-Colonial World?|Ted Gioia|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, U.S. defender Matt Besler, who seemed a bit dinged up after that Portugal stunner, will be good to go.
USA vs. Germany World Cup Primer: Everything You Need to Know About the Epic Showdown|Marlow Stern|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When her opponents chose a blacksmith as their champion, she produced the same type of defender.
The ‘GOT’ Red Viper and Mountain Duel, and a History of Medieval Trial by Combat|Steven Isaac|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This time, he gallops onto the national stage as defender of the faith—a stance that may open some pocketbooks.
The Bill Nye-Ken Ham Debate Was a Nightmare for Science|Michael Schulson|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But, as Adam Kirsch writes, a new collection of essays shows how his political ideology changed him into a defender of oppression.
How Jean-Paul Sartre’s Existential Angst Got the Better of Him|Adam Kirsch|June 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Before the whaler got back, an enemy's cruiser came up and chased the Defender, which thus had to abandon its small boat.
America's War for Humanity|Thomas Herbert Russell
In this moment of trial and persecution we pray that Thou wouldst be our defender, our counsellor, and our guide.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII)|John Greenleaf Whittier
But it is not for the defender to adduce reasons; it is enough for him to answer those of his opponent.
Theodicy|G. W. Leibniz
Henceforth he finds himself transformed into the defender of the oppressed.
A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times|Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot
My enemy left me to fly at my defender, whose name was Florence Hay.
The Fatal Glove|Clara Augusta Jones Trask

British Dictionary definitions for defender

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

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

QUIZZES

Origin of defend

SYNONYMS FOR defend

ANTONYMS FOR defend

synonym study for defend

OTHER WORDS FROM defend

Words nearby defend

Words related to defender

Example sentences from the Web for defender

British Dictionary definitions for defender

verb

Derived forms of defend

Word Origin for defend