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   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

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDEFEND | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   to speak or write in support of someone or something: He vigorously defended his point of view. The president was asked how he could defend a policy that increased unemployment. Fewer examples. The general rallied his forces to defend the town. The system is designed to defend against long-range missiles.

3. 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.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › defend

   • Cached

   de·fend′er n. Synonyms: defend, protect, guard, preserve, shield, safeguard. These verbs mean to make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm. Defend implies repelling or being ready to repel an attack: The army defended the border against the enemy.

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitiondefend verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

   • Cached

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

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   to support someone or something that is being criticized: The newspaper's editor defended his decision to publish the photos. defend verb (LAW) to try to show in a court that someone is not guilty of a crime: He has hired two lawyers to defend him in court. defend verb (SPORT) to try to stop the other sports team from scoring points.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitiondefend verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

   • Cached

   [transitive] to say or write something in support of somebody/something that has been criticized. They defended their decision to pull out of the event. The minister vigorously defended the policy. How can you defend such behaviour? I realized I couldn't logically defend my position.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   2 days ago · 1. verb. If you defend someone or something, you take action in order to protect them. Every man who could fight was now committed to defend the ridge. [VERB noun] His courage in defending religious and civil rights inspired many outside the church. [VERB noun] They would have killed him if he had not defended himself. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]