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1. Dictionary

   De·fend

   /dəˈfend/

   

   verb

   • 1. resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger: "we shall defend our country, whatever the cost" Similar protectguardsafeguardkeep from harmpreservesecureshieldshelterscreenfortifygarrisonbarricadefight forupholdsupportbe on the side oftake up cudgels forwatch overbe the defender ofOpposite attack
   • ▪ speak or write in favor of (an action or person); attempt to justify: "he defended his policy of imposing high taxes" Similar justifyvindicateargue/speak forspeak on behalf ofsupportspeak in support ofgive an apologia formake a case forplead formake excuses forexcuseexoneratepalliateexplaingive reasons forgive the rationale behindsupportspeak in support ofbackstand bystick up forstand up forargue forchampionendorseupholdcome to the defense ofsustainbolsterinformal:throw one's weight behindOpposite attackcriticizecriticize
   • ▪ conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit: "the lawyer had defended the dissidents"
   • ▪ compete to retain (a title or seat) in a contest or election: "he successfully defended his congressional seat in new elections"
   • ▪ (in sports) protect one's goal rather than attempt to score against one's opponents.

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French defendre, from Latin defendere, from de- ‘off’ + -fendere ‘to strike’. Compare with offend.

   Derivatives

   • 1. defendable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • F

     4

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • D

     2

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defendDefend Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defend

   • Cached

   The meaning of DEFEND is to drive danger or attack away from. How to use defend in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Defend.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDEFEND | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   DEFEND definition: 1. to protect someone or something against attack or criticism: 2. to speak or write in support of…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › defendDEFEND Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › defend

   • Cached

   Defend definition: to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against). See examples of DEFEND used in a sentence.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › defendDefend - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › defend

   Definitions of defend. verb. protect against a challenge or attack. synonyms: guard, hold. hold. take and maintain control over, often by violent means. see more. verb. protect or fight for as a champion. synonyms: champion. see more. verb. fight against or resist strongly. synonyms: fight, fight back, fight down, oppose. see more. verb.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › defendDefend - definition of defend by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › defend

   • Cached

   To make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm: a vaccine to defend the body from infection. b. To engage in or be prepared to engage in battle to prevent (a population or area, for example) from being captured or occupied by an enemy. 2. Sports.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishdefend verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Definition of defend verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDEFEND definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   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.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDEFEND | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   DEFEND meaning: 1. to protect someone or something from being attacked, especially by fighting: 2. to support…. Learn more.

10. www.yourdictionary.com › defendDefend Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › defend

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    Verb. Filter. verb. defended, defending, defends. To guard from attack; keep from harm or danger; protect. Webster's New World. Similar definitions. To engage in or be prepared to engage in battle to prevent (a population or area, for example) from being captured or occupied by an enemy. American Heritage.

11. www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › defendDEFEND Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words - Merriam-Webster

    www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › defend

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    Synonyms for DEFEND: protect, safeguard, guard, shield, fend, keep, secure, fence; Antonyms of DEFEND: attack, assault, assail, submit, overrun, beset, bombard, cave