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 Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday defended the administration’s response to the disastrous July 4 floods in Texas, as its management of the Federal Emergency Management Agency receives scrutiny. Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 14 July 2025 And the company defended its driver-assistance systems. Joel Rose, NPR, 14 July 2025 Southern California’s Marxists came out of the woodwork to defend Mamdani and lob personal attacks at me. Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 13 July 2025 And another sign of genuine fan support is the outpouring of love towards Amaya Espinal, a Dominican American Islander who was chastised by male Islanders for her emotional candor and passionate responses, until fellow Islander Bryan Arenales defended her. Taylor Crumpton, Time, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for defend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defend
Verb
  • Snag straw bags that are ideal for a beach day or brunch, straw hats to keep your face protected from the sun, and popular shoe styles like woven flats, simple black flip flops, and kitten heels.
    Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 5 July 2025
  • From quick rinses to gentle drying, here's how to protect your swimwear for seasons to come.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • If the Tripadvisor business was the company’s only segment, this valuation could be justified.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 12 July 2025
  • What event could possibly justify closing a major highway for days on end?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Following the case law and detailed criteria for trust classification and instituting best practices can safeguard individuals’ trusts’ domestic status and avoid unintended tax and liability consequences.
    Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • These updates often patch vulnerabilities that malware can exploit. 4) Use mobile security software: The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious software is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The pilot struggled to maintain the plane on a heading and climb, a preliminary report said.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
  • One of Swarbrick’s final maneuvers as athletic director before stepping down was renewing the NBC contract through the 2029 season, believed to be lucrative enough to maintain Notre Dame’s independence.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Healthcare providers use it to guard sensitive patient data and meet strict compliance standards.
    Bhupendra Singh, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Chen finished with a career-high 10 points and drew the assignment of guarding Ariel Atkins, the Sky’s leading scorer in the fourth quarter.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The move sets up another major dispute over transgender rights before the conservative-majority court that recently upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
    Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 3 July 2025
  • Last month the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law that prohibits certain types of gender-affirming medical care for children involving puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defend. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on defend

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