defend

[ dih-fend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against ):

   The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.

   Synonyms: fortify, garrison, shield, screen, shelter

   Antonyms: attack

2. to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold:

   She defended her claim successfully.

   Synonyms: vindicate

3. to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).
4. Law. to serve as attorney for (a defendant):

   He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.

5. to support (an argument, theory, etc.) in the face of criticism; prove the validity of (a dissertation, thesis, or the like) by answering arguments and questions put by a committee of specialists.
6. Sports. to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger:

   A fortuitous trade has landed him on the team defending the World Series championship.

verb (used without object)

1. Law. to enter or make a defense.
2. Sports. to prevent the opposing team from scoring:

   She’s a freshman who already scores and defends like a professional.

defend

/ dɪˈfɛnd /

verb

1. to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on
2. tr to support in the face of criticism, esp by argument or evidence
3. to represent (a defendant) in court in a civil or criminal action
4. sport to guard or protect (oneself, one's goal, etc) against attack
5. tr to protect (a championship or title) against a challenge

Derived Forms

• deˈfendable, adjective
• deˈfender, noun

Other Words From

• de·fenda·ble adjective
• de·fender noun
• unde·fenda·ble adjective
• unde·fenda·bly adverb
• unde·fended adjective
• well-de·fended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defend¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English defenden, from Old French défendre, from Latin dēfendere “to ward off, repel,” from dē- de- + -fendere “to strike” ( bane ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of defend¹

C13: from Old French defendre, from Latin dēfendere to ward off, from de- + -fendere to strike

Synonym Study

Defend, guard, preserve, protect all mean to keep safe. To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To preserve is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a single instance or continuously: to preserve a spirit of conciliation. To protect is to keep safe by interposing a shield or barrier: to protect books by means of heavy paper covers.

Example Sentences

"But we're fighting a war against a vicious enemy and we must have the right to use everything we need within the realm of international law to defend ourselves," he said.

From BBC

Constance defended the government's record, highlighting revamped community payback orders, electronic monitoring, home detention curfews and bail and release reforms.

From BBC

"I know where he is trying to go with this," replied Rayner before going on to defend Reeves.

From BBC

Ukraine’s forces defending the city have so far repelled attacks to the south and east.

From BBC

Concerns have been rising in Europe that Russia may wage a hybrid war against it in retaliation for helping Ukraine defend itself since a full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

From New York Times

Related Words

• contend
• fight
• fight for
• guard
• hold
• maintain
• oppose
• preserve
• prevent
• resist
• safeguard
• secure
• shield
• uphold