Synonyms of defends

defends

verb

present tense third-person singular of defend

1

as in protects

to drive danger or attack away from

a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protects
• shields
• safeguards
• guards
• fends
• secures
• keeps
• prevents
• fences
• saves
• opposes
• covers
• wards
• resists
• forfends
• preserves
• bulwarks
• stands up for
• averts
• conserves
• withstands
• screens
• contends
• wars
• fights
• walls
• battles
• buffers
• pickets
• palisades

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacks
• assails
• assaults
• bombards
• submits
• overruns
• besets
• storms
• yields
• besieges
• capitulates
• caves

2

as in justifies

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

• justifies
• maintains
• upholds
• supports
• asserts
• affirms
• advocates
• proclaims
• discusses
• confirms
• argues
• insists
• pleads
• sticks up for
• contends
• espouses
• stands up for
• emphasizes
• claims
• champions
• professes
• vindicates
• states
• avers
• protests
• underlines
• debates
• avows
• underscores
• warrants
• stresses
• avouches

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandons
• withdraws
• retracts
• forsakes
• reverses
• takes back
• switches
• refutes
• abjures
• recants
• rebuts
• disproves
• controverts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defends

In an exclusive interview, Subramanyam defends his record on strong AI guardrails. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2026

Apart from being part of the Republican Party’s Victory ‘26 slate, Shaw was endorsed by Moms for Liberty, a parental rights advocacy group, and the California Rifle and Pistol Association, a nonprofit that defends gun rights. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

For 14 years, Alvarado worked at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a nonprofit law firm that defends religious freedom. — CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Cervera, who often publicly criticizes school district decisions, defends his criticism of Fernandez. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

But Thomas chooses Vision’s side, and finally defends his dream-dad instead of blaming him. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026

Continue reading … HOLLYWOOD DIVIDE — 'Nobody Wants This' creator defends show after star accuses Israel of 'genocide'. — FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

That benefit is amplified by the addition of 2% ectoin, a protective ingredient that defends skin against external irritants (like pollutants) and internal stressors (like hormonal changes) alike. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Saturday is supposed to be a reward for another week of work, which is why Freeman so fiercely defends the right to celebrate all Notre Dame’s wins. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2026