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 The mom of two later agreed with and responded to other followers who defended her in the comments. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025 Here are the top ways to defend yourself against phishing threats and financial fraud. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025 Indecisive defending around the edge of the box and an unconvincing header by Maxim De Cuyper led to Matheus Cunha giving United a 24th-minute lead against the run of play with a curving shot. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Four of the five West Valley Region teams have winning records with Deer Valley in first place at 2-0. Tucson Mica Mountain, the defending state champion, has regrouped since losing to ALA West Foothills and Tucson Sunnyside in back-to-back weeks in September. Richard Obert, AZCentral.com, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defend
Verb
  • In the below example, against Real Oviedo’s zonal scheme protecting the six-yard box, three players run away from goal and one to the near-post to attack Marcus Rashford’s outswinger, resulting in Araujo scoring.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In some cases, sportsbooks have taken down odds on certain events to protect against manipulation.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The midfield area certainly functioned better against Frankfurt, with Curtis Jones more than justifying his inclusion.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This isn’t to justify those prior murders.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Made in Italy is besieged, and action must be taken to safeguard the local supply chain and its reputation.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Raw eggs in the shell not maintained at 7°C (45°F) or below (walk-in cooler).
    Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
  • This, the medical profession maintains, is the stuff of fiction.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rulers, by contrast, tend to jealously guard their dignity.
    Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Kings guard DeMar DeRozan, a future Hall of Famer who ranks 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, agreed with Schroder’s assessment.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Manfred upheld Hill’s decision.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Barton said that Tractor Supply has effectively controlled product costs while upholding its promise of everyday low pricing, delivering consistently affordable products without depending on promotional sales.
    Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defend. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on defend

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