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View synonyms for

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: , , , ,

    Antonyms:

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

    She defended her claim successfully.

    Synonyms:

  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

/ ɪˈɛԻ /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈڱԻ岹, adjective
  • ˈڱԻ, noun
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Other yvlogs From

  • ·ڱԻa· adjective
  • ·ڱԻİ noun
  • un·ڱԻa· adjective
  • ܲd·ڱԻa· adverb
  • ܲd·ڱԻĻ adjective
  • ɱ-·ڱԻĻ adjective
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of defend1

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English defenden, from Old French éڱԻ, from Latin ŧڱԻ “to ward off, repel,” from ŧ- de- + -fendere “to strike” ( bane ( def ) )
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of defend1

C13: from Old French defendre, from Latin ŧڱԻ to ward off, from de- + -fendere to strike
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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.
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Example Sentences

O'Sullivan memorably defended his world crown in 2013, despite only having played one competitive match prior to the showpiece event after taking an extended break from snooker that season.

From

A Sentebale spokeswoman rejected the claim that £500,000 had been spent on US consultants - and defended its approach to seeking new funds for the charity.

From

Prosecutors, for their part, derided Sanders in court and to the press as a desperate hack willing to lie to defend Scott Dekraai, a client accused of massacring eight people at a Seal Beach salon.

From

Crowley has defended her handling of the blaze and accused Bass of making “multiple, false accusations.”

From

Measles destroys lymphocytes that defend against other bugs to make way for ones that defend against measles, an immunity won at the cost of other protections.

From

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