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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. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › defendDEFEND | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › defend

   • Cached

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

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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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

   verb. 1. to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on. 2. (transitive) 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.