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Definitions for Defend

[1] to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against ): The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.
[2] to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold: She defended her claim successfully.
[3] to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).
[4] Law . to serve as attorney for (a defendant): He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.
[5] to support (an argument, theory, etc.) in the face of criticism; prove the validity of (a dissertation, thesis, or the like) by answering arguments and questions put by a committee of specialists.
[6] to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger.
[7] Law . to enter or make a defense.
[8] to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on
[9] (tr) to support in the face of criticism, esp by argument or evidence
[10] to represent (a defendant) in court in a civil or criminal action
[11] sport to guard or protect (oneself, one's goal, etc) against attack
[12] (tr) to protect (a championship or title) against a challenge

Words related to Defend

preserve, contend, hold, secure, uphold, prevent, fight, resist, guard, maintain, oppose, retain, safeguard, shield, champion, support, advocate, back, assert, guarantee

Words nearby Defend

defector, defederalize, defence, defence in depth, defence mechanism, defend, defendant, defender of the bond, defender of the faith, defenestrate, defenestration

Origin of Defend

1200–50; Middle English defenden < Old French defendre < Latin dēfendere to ward off, equivalent to dē- de- + -fendere to strike

Other words from Defend

de·fend·a·ble , adjective
de·fend·er , noun
pre·de·fend , verb (used with object)
un·de·fend·a·ble , adjective
un·de·fend·a·ble·ness , noun
un·de·fend·a·bly , adverb
un·de·fend·ed , adjective
un·de·fend·ing , adjective
well-de·fend·ed , adjective

Word origin for Defend

C13: from Old French defendre, from Latin dēfendere to ward off, from de- + -fendere to strike

Synonyms for Defend

contend, fight, fight for, guard, hold, maintain, oppose, preserve, prevent, resist, retain, safeguard, secure, shield, uphold, avert, battle, bulwark, cherish, conserve, cover, entrench, espouse, fortify, foster, garrison, hedge, house, insure, mine, nourish, save, screen, shelter, sustain, war, watch, withstand, beat off, care for, fend off, guard against, hold at bay, keep safe, look after, panoply, provide sanctuary, repel danger, stave off, take in, ward off, watch over