Defend Synonyms and Antonyms

dĭ-fĕnd
To keep off an enemy; often used figuratively
(Verb)
Synonyms:
  1. guard
  2. protect
  3. shield
  4. shelter
  5. screen
  6. resist
  7. beat off
  8. avert
  9. fight for
  10. withstand
  11. cover
  12. retain
  13. hold
  14. repel danger from
  15. ward off
  16. contend for
  17. keep off
  18. stave off
  19. keep at bay
  20. hold at bay
  21. take evasive action
  22. fend-off
  23. hedge
  24. entrench
  25. fight
  26. mine
  27. resist invasion
  28. stand on the defensive
  29. provide air cover for; sustain a mortar attack
  30. aerial attack
  31. machine gun attack
  32. etc.; fortify
  33. garrison
  34. convoy
  35. escort
  36. fence round
  37. oppose
  38. give an air umbrella
  39. fight-back
  40. fight down
Antonyms:
  1. yield
  2. surrender
  3. attack
  4. give up
To provide general protection
(Verb)
Synonyms:
  1. guard
  2. preserve
  3. safeguard
  4. champion
  5. secure
  6. protect
  7. support
  8. shield
  9. espouse
  10. maintain
  11. uphold
  12. watch
  13. insure
  14. patronize
  15. apologize for
  16. advocate
  17. rally to
  18. assert
  19. back
  20. house
  21. conserve
  22. keep
  23. contest
  24. second
  25. countenance
  26. provide sanctuary
  27. exculpate
  28. take-in
  29. fortify
  30. sustain
  31. garrison
  32. bolster
  33. go to bat for
  34. nourish
  35. harbor
  36. foster
  37. hedge
  38. care for
  39. justify
  40. compass about
  41. cherish
  42. plead
  43. guard against
  44. ward
  45. look after
  46. rationalize
  47. repel
  48. save
  49. fend
  50. screen
  51. shelter
  52. vindicate
  53. wear
  54. hold
Antonyms:
  1. abandon
  2. leave
  3. attack
  4. relinquish
  5. desert
  6. quit
  7. forsake
  8. surrender
  9. resign
To support an accused person or thing
(Verb)
Synonyms:
  1. support
  2. maintain
  3. justify
  4. vindicate
  5. uphold
  6. stand up for
  7. plead
  8. bear one out
  9. apologize
  10. second
  11. exonerate
  12. back
  13. back up
  14. advocate
  15. aid
  16. espouse the cause of
  17. befriend
  18. say in defense
  19. be a partisan of
  20. guarantee
  21. endorse
  22. warrant
  23. prove a case
  24. exculpate
  25. recommend
  26. rationalize
  27. plead one's cause
  28. say a good word for
  29. argue for
  30. speak for
  31. plead for
  32. put in a good word for
  33. apologize for
  34. take up
  35. go to bat for
  36. cover up for
  37. stick-up-for
  38. fend for
Antonyms:
  1. forsake
  2. convict
  3. accuse
  4. deny
  5. charge
  6. yield
  7. surrender
  8. give up
  9. abandon
  10. leave
  11. renounce
Be the defense counsel for someone in a trial
(Verb)
Synonyms:
  1. represent
Antonyms:
  1. prosecute

Words Related to Defend

Related words are words that are directly connected to each other through their meaning, even if they are not synonyms or antonyms. This connection may be general or specific, or the words may appear frequently together.

Related:

  1. raise
  2. reassert
  3. stand-up-against
  4. shore-up
  5. in-defense
  6. re-assert

Defend Sentence Examples

  • I don't have to defend myself against Alex.

  • I can defend you against anything that attacks us.

  • Why should I not defend myself?

  • Pierre will defend you well.

  • This wasn't his friend and he wasn't going to defend or reprimand him.

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