defended; defending; defends
1
a
: to drive danger or attack away from
defend the castle from invaders
b(1)
: to maintain or support in the face of argument or hostile criticism
defend a theory
couldn't defend their actions
(2)
: to prove (something, such as a doctoral thesis or dissertation) valid by answering questions in an oral exam
preparing to defend her thesis
c
sports
: to attempt to prevent an opponent from scoring at
elects to defend the south goal
3
: to act as attorney for
hired a lawyer to defend their son
4
5
: to retain or seek to retain (something, such as a title or position) against a challenge in a contest
they successfully defended their championship
1
: to take action against attack or challenge
the defending champion
2
sports
: to play or be on defense
playing deep to defend against a pass
3
card games
: to play against the high bidder
Synonyms
Examples of defend in a Sentence
The company must defend its own interests.
We believed it was a cause worth defending.
She defended her friend's behavior.
Stop defending him. What he did was wrong.
Recent Examples on the Web
Austin Police Department Chief of Staff Jeff Greenwalt defended the proposal in response to concerns from multiple public officials and social justice advocates during a Monday meeting of the city's Public Safety Commission.
—
Serena Lin, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
According to the New York Times, Trump has privately defended his defense secretary nominee.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Francis previously defended some of his tactics on Girls Gone Wild, which made $20 million in its first two years alone.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Gerald Boyle, the Milwaukee attorney who had a long and high-profile legal career in Milwaukee but was best known for defending serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, has died.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defend 
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Serena Lin, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
According to the New York Times, Trump has privately defended his defense secretary nominee.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Francis previously defended some of his tactics on Girls Gone Wild, which made $20 million in its first two years alone.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Gerald Boyle, the Milwaukee attorney who had a long and high-profile legal career in Milwaukee but was best known for defending serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, has died.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defend
Dictionary Entries Near defend
Cite this Entry
“Defend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defend. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
defend
transitive verb
de·fend
1
: to drive danger or attack away from
using a weapon to defend oneself
2
: to act as attorney for (a defendant)
appointed to defend the accused
3
: to deny or oppose the rights of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or claim)
intend to defend the case
1
: to take action against attack or challenge
not justified in striking first, but may defend
2
: to present a defense
may not thereafter defend on grounds of insanity—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.Love words? Need even more definitions?
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