defend

Synonym Chooser

How is the word defend different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of defend are guard, protect, safeguard, and shield. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When is guard a more appropriate choice than defend?

The meanings of guard and defend largely overlap; however, guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

When would protect be a good substitute for defend?

The synonyms protect and defend are sometimes interchangeable, but protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

When might safeguard be a better fit than defend?

Although the words safeguard and defend have much in common, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Where would shield be a reasonable alternative to defend?

The words shield and defend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defend Additionally, on Thursday, March 27, Burgess defended her and Green’s co-parenting relationship with Fox. Charna Flam, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 The judge defended his decision, citing the fact that Sullivan has no permanent residence, has been admitted to a hospital since her arrest for mental health reasons, has no prior criminal record and has not failed to appear in court as reasons why house arrest is not necessary. Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025 In other words, conferences where the top teams successfully defend their status tend to be rewarded more heavily. Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Can Max Verstappen defend his title, or will the McLaren team of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri break through? Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defend
Verb
  • The Reverso watch was made especially for polo players who could flip the case to protect the dial from the swinging wooden mallets, and fast-flying balls.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Historically, child labor laws have been implemented to protect young workers from unsafe conditions and excessive hours, ensuring their education and well-being are not compromised.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Ukraine’s General Staff denied the allegations, saying in a statement Wednesday that Russia’s claims were part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at justifying continued hostilities.
    Illia Novikov and Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Investors have to balance whether an investment can be justified on the fundamentals of the asset or if distress itself is just one symptom of larger, more existential issues.
    Arman Harutyunyan, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With cyber threats growing in complexity and business disruptions becoming more frequent, organizations need a way to safeguard their most valuable asset — data.
    Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Norris didn’t have an easy race though, having to battle break issues and a stiff test from Mercedes’ George Russell to maintain his hold on second.
    Ben Morse, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Julie Butner, president and CEO of Tarrant Area Food Bank, said the organization has been able to maintain balanced supply and distribution through the local food purchase agreement.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Absolutely crucial, and it's parked geographically and guards the approaches to the North Atlantic.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • From there, there was the 116-113 March 19 home loss, when Pistons guard Cade Cunningham banked in the winning 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds to play to close out the scoring.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration appealed the Boasberg order, which the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
  • But the community's grasp appears to be slipping, as a state judge upheld a ruling in favor of the Sandersville Railroad Company.
    Skyler Henry, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defend. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on defend

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