defend

/dɪfˈɛnd/

/dɪˈfɛnd/

to defend

MAIN VERB

(in sports) to prevent an opponent from scoring a goal or point

antonyms : attack

to not let any harm come to someone or something

synonyms : guard

to support someone or try to justify an action, plan, etc.

synonyms : fend for

fight against or resist strongly

synonyms : fight

to compete in order to keep a title or a seat

synonyms : champion

state or assert

synonyms : maintain

to represent a person who is on trial

synonyms : represent

antonyms : prosecute

Examples

1. He went to the wall to defend his beliefs.

2. Guys, do you even know the sexist history of the company you're so ardently defending?

3. Jack could be mild-mannered and amicable most of the time, but when his children were criticized, he fiercely defended them.

4. The mother who always defended her child's behavior, even when it was clearly inappropriate, demonstrated that love is blind.