About The Word Defend

Bay Area Crosswords

Learn about the word Defend to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Defend definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.

Defend

Defend Meaning & Definition
Defend Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Defend?

[v] protect or fight for as a champion
[v] argue or speak in defense of; "She supported the motion to strike"
[v] state or assert; "He maintained his innocence"
[v] fight against or resist strongly; "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don't fight it!"
[v] be on the defensive; act against an attack
[v] protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"
[v] be the defense counsel for someone in a trial; "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant"

Synonyms | Synonyms for Defend: champion | fend for | fight | fight back | fight down | guard | hold | maintain | oppose | represent | support

Related Terms | Find terms related to Defend: account | advocate | air | allege in support | answer | argue | argue for | arm | armor | assert | avert | back | battle | bless | bulwark | champion | claim | cloak | compass about | conserve | contend | contend for | copyright | counter | cover | cushion | ensure | espouse | explain | express | fence | fend | fend off | fight | fight for | flank | fortify | guarantee | guard | guard against | harbor | haven | insure | justify | keep | keep from harm | keep safe | maintain | make a plea | make safe | nestle | oppose | parry | patent | plead for | police | preserve | prevent | protect | rationalize | rebut | refute | register | reply | resist | respond | ride shotgun for | riposte | safeguard | save | say in defense | screen | secure | shelter | shield | shroud | speak for | speak up for | stand by | stand up for | stick up for | support | sustain | underwrite | uphold | urge reasons for | utter | vent | vindicate | voice | war | ward | ward off | warrant | watch over | withstand

See Also | affirm | apologise | apologize | argue | arrest | back | bulwark | check | contain | drive back | endorse | excuse | fend | fight off | hold back | hold out | justify | keep | plump for | plunk for | prevent | protect | rationalise | rationalize | reason | rebuff | recalcitrate | repel | repulse | resist | stand | stand firm | stand up | stick up | stop | struggle | support | turn back | uphold | vindicate | ward off | withstand

Defend In Webster's Dictionary

\De*fend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Defending}.] [F. d['e]fendre, L. defendere; de- + fendere (only in comp.) to strike; perh. akin to Gr. ? to strike, and E. dint. Cf. {Dint}, {Defense}, {Fend}.] 1. To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel. [A Latinism & Obs.] Th' other strove for to defend The force of Vulcan with his might and main. --Spenser. 2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Which God defend that I should wring from him. --Shak.  3. To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to secure against; attack; to maintain against force or argument; to uphold; to guard; as, to defend a town; to defend a cause; to defend character; to defend the absent; -- sometimes followed by from or against; as, to defend one's self from, or against, one's enemies. The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city. --Shak. God defend the right! --Shak. A village near it was defended by the river. --Clarendon. 4. (Law.) To deny the right of the plaintiff in regard to (the suit, or the wrong charged); to oppose or resist, as a claim at law; to contest, as a suit. --Burrill. Syn: To {Defend}, {Protect}. Usage: To defend is literally to ward off; to protect is to cover so as to secure against approaching danger. We defend those who are attacked; we protect those who are liable to injury or invasion. A fortress is defended by its guns, and protected by its wall. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it. --Is. xxxi. 5. Leave not the faithful side That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects. --Milton.

More Crossword Puzzle Words

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Cross Word Of The Day

  • Maxillary artery ‐ either of two arteries branching from the external carotid artery…
  • Optical illusion ‐ an optical phenomenon that results in a false or deceptive visual…
  • Hinderingly ‐ in an obstructive manner; "he acted very obstructively when we…
  • Quercus rubra ‐ large symmetrical deciduous tree with rounded crown widely distributed…
  • Pompano ‐ any of several deep-bodied food fishes of western Atlantic and…
  • Flower chain ‐ flowers strung together…
  • Paper electrophoresis ‐ electrophoresis carried out on…
  • Pygmy marmoset ‐ the smallest monkey; of tropical forests of…
  • Pallid bat ‐ drab yellowish big-eared…
  • Beguile ‐ attract; cause to be enamored; "She captured all the men's hearts"…