defend

defendverb

To defend is to act against an attack, against hard words, or against the other side in a game, so that someone or something stays safe or keeps what it has.

1. protectprotect someone or something from attack or harm

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • The soldiers defended the city against attack. V + obj + prep + obj
   • She raised her arms to defend herself. V + obj
   • The dog will defend its owner from strangers. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun defend a city, defend your country, defend your home

   verb + preposition defend someone against something, defend someone from something

   phrase defend yourself

   Synonyms protect; guard

   Antonyms attack

2. support in wordsspeak or write in support of someone or something that other people say is bad or wrong

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • He defended his decision to leave early. V + obj
   • Why do you always defend her? V + obj
   • She defended the plan against every objection. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun defend a decision, defend a view, defend your actions, defend your rights

   adverb + verb strongly defend, publicly defend

   Antonyms criticize; attack

3. in a courtact as the lawyer for someone in court who is said to have broken the law

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] law

   • Who is defending her in court? V + obj
   • He was defended by a young lawyer. V + obj

   Collocations

   phrase defend someone in court, defend someone against a charge

   Compare prosecute (act against the person accused)

4. in sporttry to stop the other team or player from scoring

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] sport

   • We need to defend better in the second half.
   • Two players were defending the goal. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + adverb defend well, defend badly

   verb + noun defend a goal, defend a lead

   Antonyms attack

5. keep a titletake part in a competition again in order to keep a title or prize you won before

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] sport

   • She is defending her title this year. V + obj
   • The team failed to defend the cup. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun defend a title, defend a championship, defend a cup