defend
verb (used with object)
to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from oragainst ).
has defended
-
present perfectof defend (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chief Executive Jamie Dimon has defended the spending as a worthwhile investment in shareholders’ best interests, despite once quipping that investors should short the stock of any company building a fancy new headquarters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
For decades, the Indigenous Guard has defended remote Colombian territories against powerful guerrillas and drug cartels, without firearms.
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026
A housing association has defended the charges faced by its leaseholders after many complained of huge bill increases to pay for maintenance.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
ICE, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, has defended its arrests near courthouses as a “common sense” approach to apprehending offenders at times and locations where authorities know they will be.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
Nature has defended itself from an unruly zero.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
