Synonyms for defend
dɪˈfɛndde·fend

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. defendverb

   Antonyms:
   attack

2. defendverb

   Antonyms:
   attack

3. defendverb

   Antonyms:
   attack

4. defendverb

   Antonyms:
   attack

5. defendverb

   Antonyms:
   attack

6. defendverb

   Antonyms:
   attack

7. defendverb

   Antonyms:
   attack

8. defendverb

   Antonyms:
   attack

9. defendverb

   Antonyms:
   attack

10. defendverb

    Antonyms:
    attack

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. defend

   Keep, signifying generally to have and retain in possession, is the terse, strong Saxon term for many acts which are more exactly discriminated by other words. We keep, observe, or celebrate a festival; we keep or hold a prisoner in custody; we keep or preserve silence, keep the peace, preserve order — preserve being the more formal word; we keep or maintain a horse, a servant, etc.; a man supports his family; we keep or obey a commandment; keep or fulfil a promise. In the expressions to keep a secret, keep one's own counsel, keep faith, or keep the faith, such words as preserve or maintain could not be substituted without loss. A person keeps a shop or store, conducts or carries on a business; he keeps or carries a certain line of goods; we may keep or restrain one from folly, crime, or violence; we keep from or refrain from evil, ourselves. Keep in the sense of guard or defend implies that the defense is effectual. Compare CELEBRATE; RESTRAIN.

   Synonyms:
   carry, carry on, celebrate, conduct, detain, fulfil, guard, hold, keep, maintain, obey, observe, preserve, protect, refrain, restrain, retain, support, sustain, withhold

   Preposition:
   Keep in hand, in mind, in or within the house; from evil; out of mischief; keep to the subject; keep for a person, an occasion, etc.

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:1.5 / 2 votes

1. defend, support, fend forverb

   argue or speak in defense of

   "She supported the motion to strike"

   Synonyms:
   fight, digest, abide, tolerate, support, oppose, suffer, plunk for, hold up, endure, guard, stick out, confirm, fend for, patronise, back, back up, keep going, put up, corroborate, endorse, stomach, represent, fight back, bear out, affirm, subscribe, brook, indorse, patronage, stand, sustain, maintain, fight down, patronize, underpin, substantiate, hold, plump for, champion, bear

   Antonyms:
   attack, prosecute, assail

2. defendverb

   be on the defensive; act against an attack

   Synonyms:
   represent, oppose, maintain, champion, fight, fight back, support, guard, fend for, hold, fight down

   Antonyms:
   prosecute, assail, attack

3. defend, guard, holdverb

   protect against a challenge or attack

   "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"

   Synonyms:
   fight, book, retain, moderate, view as, support, apply, hold back, harbour, take hold, bind, deem, hold up, arrest, guard, take, have, concord, check, make, fend for, take for, go for, throw, defy, control, harbor, oppose, keep, obligate, ward, carry, give, adjudge, entertain, nurse, accommodate, represent, curb, fight back, confine, have got, restrain, withstand, agree, hold in, halt, contain, obtain, maintain, fight down, oblige, concur, keep back, sustain, prevail, reserve, admit, hold, declare, champion, bear

   Antonyms:
   prosecute, attack, assail

4. fight, oppose, fight back, fight down, defendverb

   fight against or resist strongly

   "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don't fight it!"

   Synonyms:
   fight, play off, counterbalance, represent, agitate, champion, press, support, guard, hold, campaign, oppose, struggle, match, react, pit, controvert, fend for, contradict, contend, maintain, fight down, fight back, crusade, push

   Antonyms:
   assail, attack, prosecute

5. champion, defendverb

   protect or fight for as a champion

   Synonyms:
   represent, oppose, maintain, champion, fight, fight back, support, guard, fend for, hold, fight down

   Antonyms:
   attack, prosecute, assail

6. defend, representverb

   be the defense counsel for someone in a trial

   "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant"

   Synonyms:
   fight, stand for, act, typify, play, be, represent, champion, support, guard, hold, comprise, symbolise, interpret, map, fend for, exemplify, maintain, correspond, lay out, make up, symbolize, fight down, fight back, stage, oppose, present, constitute

   Antonyms:
   prosecute, assail, attack

7. maintain, defendverb

   state or assert

   "He maintained his innocence"

   Synonyms:
   fight, asseverate, keep up, keep, conserve, champion, support, guard, wield, hold, sustain, assert, oppose, fight back, fend for, maintain, fight down, observe, uphold, preserve, exert, represent

   Antonyms:
   attack, prosecute, assail

Matched Categories

1. • Back
   • Prevent

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. defendverb

   Synonyms:
   guard, PROTECT, shield, secure from danger, secure from attack

2. defendverb

   Synonyms:
   vindicate, assert, maintain, uphold, justify, espouse, plead

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. defendverb

   Synonyms:
   guard, protect, shield, secure, screen, shelter, fortify, garrison, preserve, harbor, countenance, uphold, espouse, vindicate, advocate, plead, justify, maintain

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "defend":

   defending, uphold, defence, protect, advocate, defender, safeguard, defends, upholding, champion, defense, justify, defended

How to pronounce defend?

How to say defend in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use defend in a sentence?

1. Timothy Ray:

   The challenges becomes your ability to defend against hypersonic weapons - they are not easily defendable.

2. Edward Abbey:

   A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.

3. Victor Restis:

   We are disappointed that some secret relationship between UANI and the government allows UANI to hide from disclosing that association or to defend what has now been proven to be its false and defamatory allegations directed at Mr. Restis and his company, we are concerned that, in our court system, such a result could occur on the basis of sealed, one-sided filings and meetings in which we were not allowed to participate.

4. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott:

   I don't want to raise hope that might turn out to be dashed, i want to ensure that as far as is humanly possible, I am speaking out for Australians and for Australian values, but I also have to respect and defend Australia's friendships.

5. David Richardson:

   We're staying to defend and we think we'll be OK.