DEFEND: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for DEFEND?

Need another word that means the same as “defend”? Find 41 synonyms and 30 related words for “defend” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Defend” are: fend for, support, maintain, guard, hold, represent, champion, fight, fight back, fight down, oppose, protect, safeguard, keep from harm, preserve, secure, shield, shelter, screen, justify, vindicate, argue for, speak for, speak on behalf of, speak in support of, give an apologia for, make a case for, plead for, make excuses for, excuse, exonerate, palliate, back, stand by, stick up for, stand up for, endorse, uphold, come to the defence of, sustain, bolster

Defend as a Verb

Definitions of "Defend" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “defend” as a verb can have the following definitions:

• Conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit.
• Compete to retain (a title or seat) in a contest or election.
• Be on the defensive; act against an attack.
• Protect against a challenge or attack.
• Be the defense counsel for someone in a trial.
• State or assert.
• Fight against or resist strongly.
• Argue or speak in defense of.
• Resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger.
• (in sport) protect one's goal or wicket rather than attempt to score against one's opponents.
• Speak or write in favour of (an action or person); attempt to justify.
• Protect or fight for as a champion.

Synonyms of "Defend" as a verb (41 Words)

argue for	Present reasons and arguments.
back	Travel backward. My garage backs their yard.
bolster	Prop up with a pillow or bolster. They bolstered the seats for a more comfortable ride.
champion	Protect or fight for as a champion. He championed the rights of the working class and the poor.
come to the defence of	Move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody.
endorse	Give support or one’s approval to. The speed and accuracy achieved will be endorsed on the certificate.
excuse	Defend explain clear away or make excuses for by reasoning. Please excuse my dirty hands.
exonerate	Release someone from (a duty or obligation. An inquiry exonerated those involved.
fend for	Withstand the force of something.
fight	Fight against or resist strongly. The men were fighting.
fight back	Exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for.
fight down	Exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for.
give an apologia for	Emit or utter.
guard	Watch over (someone) to prevent them from escaping. The company fiercely guarded its independence.
hold	Contain or hold have within. The boat s anchor would not hold.
justify	Show to be right by providing justification or proof. Justify the margins.
keep from harm	Stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state.
maintain	Maintain by writing regular records. He maintained his innocence.
make a case for	Charge with a function; charge to be.
make excuses for	Favor the development of.
oppose	Actively resist (a person or system. The board opposed his motion.
palliate	Disguise the seriousness of (an offence. This eliminated or at least palliated suspicions aroused by German unity.
plead for	Enter a plea, as in courts of law.
preserve	Treat (food) to prevent its decomposition. A fight to preserve local democracy.
protect	Keep safe from harm or injury. Use a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB.
represent	Be representative or typical for. The three heads of Cerberus represent the past present and future.
safeguard	Protect from harm or damage with an appropriate measure. A framework which safeguards employees from exploitation.
screen	Separate something from something else with or as if with a screen. Screen these samples.
secure	Fix or attach (something) firmly so that it cannot be moved or lost. Doors are likely to be well secured at night.
shelter	Provide shelter for. Only your rental income can be sheltered.
shield	Enclose or screen (a piece of machinery) to protect the user. Uranium shutters shield the cobalt radioactive source.
speak for	Give a speech to.
speak in support of	Exchange thoughts; talk with.
speak on behalf of	Make a characteristic or natural sound.
stand by	Be standing; be upright.
stand up for	Put up with something or somebody unpleasant.
stick up for	Be a devoted follower or supporter.
support	Be the physical support of carry the weight of. Olivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act.
sustain	Supply with necessities and support. We sustained ourselves on bread and water.
uphold	Confirm or support (something which has been questioned. They uphold a tradition of not causing distress to living creatures.
vindicate	Maintain, uphold, or defend. You must vindicate yourself and fight this libel.

Usage Examples of "Defend" as a verb

• We shall defend our island, whatever the cost.
• Ms. Smith will represent the defendant.
• He won the party's nomination to defend the Welsh seat.
• He defended his policy of imposing high rates.
• They were forced to defend for long periods.
• He is a lawyer who specializes in defending political prisoners.

Associations of "Defend" (30 Words)

aegis	Armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a cuirass. The negotiations were conducted under the aegis of the UN.
angel	In traditional Christian angelology a being of the lowest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy. Every year we raise the money for the next season and we are always looking for an angel.
armor	Equip with armor.
bastion	A natural rock formation resembling a man made bastion. The last bastion of communism.
conservancy	A commission with jurisdiction over fisheries and navigation in a port or river. From the point of view of nature conservancy I d rather see it left unspoilt.
convoy	A group of ships or vehicles travelling together, typically one accompanied by armed troops, warships, or other vehicles for protection. American destroyers helped to convoy much needed supplies to Britain in 1917 18.
cudgel	Beat with a cudgel. They would lie in wait and cudgel her to death.
defence	The action of defending from or resisting attack. She came to the defence of the eccentric professor.
defense	A structure used to defend against attack. The artillery battered down the defenses.
defensible	Justifiable by argument. A fort with a defensible yard at its feet.
fighting	The action of fighting violence or conflict. He put up his fists and took a fighting stance.
guard	The person who plays the position of guard on a basketball team. A security guard.
guardian	A person who cares for persons or property. Self appointed guardians of public morality.
helmet	Armor plate that protects the head.
heroine	The main good female character in a work of fiction. Jane Austen s heroines.
protect	Shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage. The wetlands have been protected since 1998.
protecting	Shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort. A protecting alibi.
protector	A person who cares for persons or property. A man who became her protector adviser and friend.
sentry	A soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place. On sentry duty.
shield	A stylized representation of a shield used for displaying a coat of arms. Cylindrical ducts shield the propellers.
soldier	Serve as a soldier in the military. I soldiered with your father on his last four campaigns.
sword	A cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard. Not many perished by the sword.
tenable	(of an office, position, scholarship, etc.) able to be held or used. A scholarship of 200 per annum tenable for three years.
territorial	A territorial military unit. These sharks are aggressively territorial.
tutelar	Providing protective supervision; watching over or safeguarding. Tutelary gods.
tutelary	Providing protective supervision; watching over or safeguarding. The state maintained a tutelary relation with the security police.
ward	The grooves in the bit of a key that correspond to the wards in a lock. It was his duty to ward the king.
watchman	A man employed to look after an empty building, especially at night. A night watchman.
windshield	A window at the front of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle; a windscreen.