1. defend
verb. ['dɪˈfɛnd'] argue or speak in defense of.
Synonyms
- argue
- justify
- rationalise
- stand up
- rationalize
- stick up
- support
- uphold
- fend for
- apologise
- reason
- excuse
Antonyms
- yield
- please
- attract
- pull
Etymology
- defenden (Middle English (1100-1500))
- deffendre (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
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Words that Rhyme with Defend
- overextend
- comprehend
- condescend
- transcend
- recommend
- landsend
- apprehend
- suspend
- reoffend
- pretend
- portend
- misspend
- extend
- expend
- echemende
- distend
- contend
- befriend
- yearend
- unbend
- relend
- intend
- impend
- descend
- depend
- commend
- backend
- trend
- spend
- offend
Example sentences of the word defend
1. Verb, non-3rd person singular present
Other species defend their winter retreats with the same ferocity as they do their summer retreats.
2. Verb, base form
The debtor has the right to either attend a hearing and defend himself or ignore the summons.
Quotes containing the word defend
1. Reader's Bill of Rights1. The right to not read 2. The right to skip pages 3. The right to not finish 4. The right to reread 5. The right to read anything 6. The right to escapism 7. The right to read anywhere 8. The right to browse 9. The right to read out loud 10. The right to not defend your tastes
- Daniel Pennac
2. War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers
3. Anyone whose goal is 'something higher' must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves.
- Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
2. defend
verb. ['dɪˈfɛnd'] be on the defensive; act against an attack.
Synonyms
- hold back
- contain
- contend
- check
- protect
- ward off
- bulwark
- keep
- turn back
- arrest
- fight
- stop
- prevent
Antonyms
- let
- fauna
- lend oneself
- obey
Etymology
- defenden (Middle English (1100-1500))
- deffendre (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
3. defend
verb. ['dɪˈfɛnd'] protect against a challenge or attack.
Synonyms
- hold
- guard
Antonyms
- disclaim
- lose
- act
Etymology
- defenden (Middle English (1100-1500))
- deffendre (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
4. defend
verb. ['dɪˈfɛnd'] fight against or resist strongly.
Synonyms
- rebuff
- recalcitrate
- hold out
- stand firm
- repulse
- oppose
- fight down
- stand
- resist
- fend
- repel
- contend
- withstand
- fight back
- drive back
- fight off
- fight
Antonyms
- sit
- sit down
- lie down
- change
Etymology
- defenden (Middle English (1100-1500))
- deffendre (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
5. defend
verb. ['dɪˈfɛnd'] protect or fight for as a champion.
Synonyms
- plunk for
- champion
- indorse
- support
- back
- plump for
Antonyms
- exclude
- differ
- disagree
- activity
Etymology
- defenden (Middle English (1100-1500))
- deffendre (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
6. defend
verb. ['dɪˈfɛnd'] state or assert.
Synonyms
- affirm
- maintain
Antonyms
- forbid
- disallow
- lie
Etymology
- defenden (Middle English (1100-1500))
- deffendre (Old French (842-ca. 1400))
7. defend
verb. ['dɪˈfɛnd'] be the defense counsel for someone in a trial.
Antonyms
- action
Etymology
- defenden (Middle English (1100-1500))
- deffendre (Old French (842-ca. 1400))