to defend

Examples

• All

• Since then, Britain's police leadership and police unions have fiercely defended their strategy and tactics.

  Academic text (2011)

• You don't have to love him, just defend him.

  Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

• And any way you can to defend that, I will.

• Well, let me defend this this view a bit.

  Robinson Erhardt

• And how are we supposed to defend ourselves?

  Grapes on a Vine (2008)

• And so I always had to defend my beliefs.

• Is there someone who will defend Locke on that point?

  Harvard University

• You can defend yourself.

  #No_Filter (2022)

• Liberal pluralism is therefore committed to defending the value of individual liberty on two levels.

  Academic text (1999)

• The lawyer was hired to defend her client during the trial.

Synonyms

S

to support

vsto defend

∞ 1.0

Give help to a person or idea

is about arguing for someone when they face criticism

A

to argue

vsto defend

∞ 2.8

To give reasons to support or oppose an idea

is specifically about arguing in favour when someone or something is criticised

S

to stand up for

vsto defend

256 2.7

Defend or support someone who is treated unfairly

focuses on arguing verbally when someone faces criticism rather than general backing

U

to uphold

vsto defend

176 4.4

To support and keep a law, decision, or belief in effect

is used for arguing in favour when something or someone faces criticism

M

to maintain

vsto defend

163 4.4

Say firmly that something is true

focuses on arguing in support especially under criticism rather than mere assertion

A

to advocate for

vsto defend

69 3.9

Publicly support a cause, policy, or idea

is similar but applies more broadly to speaking up for a person or thing

M

to make a case

vsto defend

59 3.7

To give reasons to support or oppose an idea

is similar but emphasises support when facing direct criticism

T

to take someone's side

vsto defend

11 3.0

Support someone in an argument when others disagree

centres on offering spoken reasons when the person is criticised

S

to stand up with

vsto defend

1 3.9

Support and defend other people who share a cause

focuses on speaking in support, not only joining collective action

S

to stand up for justice

vsto defend

1 3.7

Speak or act to support fairness when it is threatened

is broader, applying to any person or thing under criticism rather than justice only

P

to put the case

vsto defend

1 7.1

Give reasons for or against an idea

is used when speaking up specifically to counter criticism

T

to take someone's part

vsto defend

5.1

To support someone in an argument

is about making spoken arguments specifically when someone is challenged

F

to fight one's corner

vsto defend

• UK

7.0

Defend your ideas or what you want when others disagree

is more about making arguments in support rather than only keeping a stance

P

to put up an argument

vsto defend

3.7

To give reasons to support or oppose an idea

is focused on arguing in support when criticism is directed at someone or something

T

to take up the cudgel

vsto defend

• Archaic

8.9

Begin to strongly defend a person or cause in public

is more general about arguing in support rather than active public campaigning

Antonyms

O

to oppose

∞ 2.9

To be against something and try to stop it

C

to criticize

701 3.3

To say what is wrong with someone or something

How Supportive

to champion

64 4.2

to defend

691 2.8

to support

∞ 1.0

to justify

720 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology