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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. 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.

3. 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.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   [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.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   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.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   verb. /dɪˈfɛnd/ Verb Forms. protect against attack. [transitive, intransitive] to protect someone or something from attack defend somebody/yourself/something Troops have been sent to defend the borders. defend somebody/yourself/something from/against somebody/something All our officers are trained to defend themselves against knife attacks.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   6 days ago · to enter or make a defense. SYNONYMS 1. shelter, screen, shield; garrison, fortify. 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.

8. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › defenddefend | meaning of defend in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › defend

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   THESAURUS defend to say something to support an idea or person when other people are criticizing them The mayor defended the action, saying that it was the best option. stand up for somebody/something to strongly defend someone who is being criticized, or strongly defend your ideas or your rights My grandfather would always stand up for what was...