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.

Bentley posted on X: "We have an excellent record to defend!"

From BBC

Earlier this month, Patterson defended the fact the company had been given £500m worth of extensions on government contracts, despite its decision not to bid for new work in the wake of the scandal.

From BBC

Powell is walking a tricky line in his final months as Fed chair of defending the central bank’s independence while also looking to maintain market calm.

From Barron's

Previously, O'Dowd defended the rates revaluation process as "fair and equitable".

From BBC

The U.S. has a range of assets it would need to defend in the Middle East.

From The Wall Street Journal

defend

Example Sentences

Related Words