Thesaurus.com

Popular Searches

 Dictionary.com
Showing results for defend.
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.

Sam Curran, who also defended 10 from the last over against Nepal, dismissed Stewart in the penultimate over.

From BBC

Ilia Malinin helped the United States defend their team gold ahead of Japan with Italy third, but then the hot favourite suffered a meltdown in the men's individual event, slumping to eighth.

From Barron's

The defending Olympic champion duly followed team orders to attack, but it didn't last long as he straddled a gate high up the course.

From Barron's

They did so because they were fighting for national survival, and, in many cases, defending their homes and families as the Russians advanced.

From The Wall Street Journal

It would also, he said, allow the UK to cooperate more with European allies to defend Ukraine.

From BBC

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