Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for defend. Search instead for defenc.
Definitions

defend

[dih-fend] / dɪˈfɛnd /
VERB
protect
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contend fight fight for guard hold maintain oppose preserve prevent resist safeguard secure shield uphold
STRONG
avert battle bulwark cherish conserve cover entrench espouse fortify foster garrison hedge house insure mine nourish save screen shelter sustain war watch withstand
WEAK
beat off care for fend off guard against hold at bay keep safe look after panoply provide sanctuary repel danger stave off take in ward off watch over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon desert endanger give up harm hurt ignore injure let go lose neglect support surrender
STRONG
forsake make peace
WEAK
attack leave quit relinquish renounce resign
VERB
show support for
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advocate argue assert back champion endorse explain guarantee justify maintain stand by support uphold
STRONG
aid befriend espouse exculpate exonerate plead rationalize recommend second stonewall sustain vindicate warrant
WEAK
apologize for back up bear one out come to defense of cover for go to bat for prove a case put in a good word ride shotgun for say in defense speak up for stand up for stick up for thump for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
oppose protest reject
STRONG
accuse blame condemn
WEAK
abandon attack deny forsake relinquish renounce

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.

This layer helps defend enamel from acids found in beverages like juice and alcohol, as well as acids from the stomach.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

Most countries in the region are rebuilding their militaries after years of neglect, but would still need many years and tough spending decisions before they could defend themselves without the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

On Saturday she will fight in front of a home crowd in Cardiff to defend her titles against Stephanie Pineiro.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Founded in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and funded by the CIA’s venture-capital arm, Palantir sought to target terrorists and defend American interests.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

All she could do was awkwardly defend the cow.

From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.