Synonyms of defending

defending

verb

present participle of defend

1

as in protecting

to drive danger or attack away from

a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protecting
• safeguarding
• guarding
• shielding
• securing
• keeping
• fending
• warding
• preventing
• saving
• fencing
• covering
• preserving
• opposing
• screening
• bulwarking
• forfending
• standing up for
• conserving
• resisting
• fighting
• withstanding
• contending
• averting
• warring
• battling
• picketing
• buffering
• walling
• palisading

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacking
• assaulting
• assailing
• bombarding
• storming
• submitting
• besieging
• overrunning
• besetting
• yielding
• caving
• capitulating

2

as in justifying

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

• justifying
• maintaining
• upholding
• supporting
• advocating
• asserting
• affirming
• proclaiming
• championing
• discussing
• arguing
• confirming
• vindicating
• insisting
• sticking up for
• claiming
• protesting
• standing up for
• stating
• espousing
• contending
• pleading
• emphasizing
• debating
• professing
• averring
• warranting
• stressing
• underscoring
• underlining
• avowing
• avouching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdrawing
• abandoning
• forsaking
• retracting
• reversing
• switching
• taking back
• refuting
• recanting
• abjuring
• rebutting
• disproving
• controverting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defending

Hochul has made that argument in defending New York’s law, saying local officers should remain focused on investigating crimes rather than using state and local resources to perform ICE’s work. — María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

But by defending in this way, Chelsea are giving smart opponents the advantage in the battle for possession. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Instead of defending a media plan against a vague feeling that things aren't working, the agency becomes the party diagnosing a real, fixable operational gap. — Mitchell Leiman, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Guam defense adds strategic role IFPC Inc 2 has a broader role in the Army’s plans for defending against evolving aerial threats. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

But Larson is the defending series champ, arguably the best driver in the field and races for the team (Hendrick Motorsports) with more wins and titles than anyone. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Zach Woods is defending Mark Ruffalo with a tongue-in-cheek story on Instagram amid charges of antisemitism being made about the Marvel actor. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026

Clark, a second-round draft pick by the defending Super Bowl champions, was injured on Seattle’s first defensive snap in a 19-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

The Royals on Tuesday will open a three-game series against the defending American League champion Blue Jays in Toronto. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026