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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Manchester City were deemed to have the 14th easiest fixtures while Newcastle - who played defending champions Paris St-Germain - were 32nd in the rankings.

From BBC

The base allows the U.S. to defend its interests quickly from the Pacific to the Middle East, and the outpost is essential for everything from logistics to parking U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Across the sport's two hard court Grand Slam tournaments, the two-time defending US Open champion has lost just twice in 45 matches on her favourite surface.

From BBC

But he said the aim was not to eliminate US support entirely -- but rather for European forces to be able to take the lead in defending the continent.

From Barron's

defend

Example Sentences

Related Words