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defend
[ dih-fend ]
verb (used with object)
- to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against ):
The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.
Synonyms: , , , ,
Antonyms:
- to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold:
She defended her claim successfully.
Synonyms:
- to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).
- Law. to serve as attorney for (a defendant):
He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.
- 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.
- Sports. to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger:
A fortuitous trade has landed him on the team defending the World Series championship.
verb (used without object)
- Law. to enter or make a defense.
- Sports. to prevent the opposing team from scoring:
She’s a freshman who already scores and defends like a professional.
defend
/ ɪˈɛԻ /
verb
- to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on
- tr to support in the face of criticism, esp by argument or evidence
- to represent (a defendant) in court in a civil or criminal action
- sport to guard or protect (oneself, one's goal, etc) against attack
- tr to protect (a championship or title) against a challenge
Derived Forms
- ˈڱԻ岹, adjective
- ˈڱԻ, noun
Other Word Forms
- ·ڱԻa· adjective
- ·ڱԻİ noun
- un·ڱԻa· adjective
- ܲd·ڱԻa· adverb
- ܲd·ڱԻĻ adjective
- ɱ-·ڱԻĻ adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of defend1
Word History and Origins
Origin of defend1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
“Now, are we going to go run to the podium and defend and try to get those people back? No, absolutely not.”
Responding for the Labour government, Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas defended the chancellor's decisions in her October Budget as "important for long term stability".
Yes, Anthony's parents and their friends are defending him, but that's typical in criminal cases and part of a larger right of the accused to defend himself.
Mr Mangione's lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, previously accused the government of "defending the broken, immoral, and murderous healthcare industry", and said her client was caught in a tug-of-war between state and federal prosecutors.
Prabowo, who has continued to defend the programme, said this week that his administration will "handle" the allegations and "safeguard every cent of public money".
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