to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against): The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.
to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold: She defended her claim successfully.
to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).
Law. to serve as attorney for (a defendant): He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.
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.
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)
Law. to enter or make a defense.
Sports. to prevent the opposing team from scoring: She’s a freshman who already scores and defends like a professional.
Origin of defend
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English defenden, from Old French défendre, from Latin dēfendere “to ward off, repel,” equivalent to dē- de- + -fendere “to strike”
SYNONYMS FOR defend
1 shelter, screen, shield; garrison, fortify.
2 vindicate.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR defend ON THESAURUS.COM
ANTONYMS FOR defend
1 attack.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR defend ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for defend
1. 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.
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