Synonyms of defend

defend

verb

di-ˈfend 

1

as in to protect

to drive danger or attack away from

a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protect
• safeguard
• guard
• shield
• fend
• keep
• secure
• fence
• prevent
• save
• ward
• preserve
• bulwark
• cover
• oppose
• conserve
• stand up for
• screen
• resist
• forfend
• withstand
• fight
• war
• avert
• contend
• picket
• battle
• buffer
• wall
• palisade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attack
• assault
• assail
• submit
• overrun
• beset
• bombard
• cave
• yield
• storm
• besiege
• capitulate

2

as in to justify

to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections

she will pigheadedly defend any claim regardless of all evidence to the contrary

Synonyms & Similar Words

• justify
• maintain
• uphold
• support
• advocate
• assert
• affirm
• proclaim
• discuss
• stick up for
• stand up for
• vindicate
• confirm
• argue
• plead
• insist
• contend
• espouse
• claim
• champion
• emphasize
• protest
• profess
• state
• warrant
• debate
• aver
• underline
• avow
• underscore
• stress
• avouch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdraw
• abandon
• retract
• forsake
• take back
• reverse
• switch
• refute
• recant
• abjure
• rebut
• disprove
• controvert

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

Recent Examples of defend

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in the midst of an election campaign, will take advantage of his 15 minutes on the world stage— later Thursday — to defend his record on Iran and Gaza. — Michele Kelemen, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026

This year's bracket features a defending champion, a few rising stars and some heavyweight opening-round matchups. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

The question now is whether Arévalo has preserved democracy as an ideal that Guatemalans believe in and, if necessary, will defend. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Earlier this month, OpenAI pledged $1 billion toward subsidizing training and access to new models that are supposed to help defend critical infrastructure. — Justine Calma, The Verge, 20 Sep. 2026