defend
verb (used with object)
to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from oragainst ).
have defended
-
present perfectof defend.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.
While the company and authorities have defended the technology for helping fight crime, reports of misuse have only fanned the flame this summer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
Supporters of the bill have defended it as making the new arts funding more accessible for schools.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
Supporters have defended Tate as a controversial figure willing to challenge mainstream ideas about masculinity.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
Many Chinese social media users have defended the design of Molly Tea's logo, noting how many designs used in Western luxury brands have been inspired by Chinese artefacts.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Before the yellow fever epidemic, even the doctors who disagreed with Rush on medical matters would have defended him against Cobbett’s irrational assaults.
From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy
