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

Coach Hudson defends Ricky to Gerry’s face, but privately lectures his daughter about the optics of their close relationship as a female football coach and tells her to put some space between her and Chad (and unknowingly, Russ). — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026

In relation to what one longs for, questions, resists, imagines, or defends. — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Nobody clings to each other more firmly, defends their relationship more fiercely, or dismisses the opinions of the internet more authentically than Brinity. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

His book with Daphna Renan vigorously defends majority rule against institutional impediments. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Students spend mornings at camp working in math circles, then gather for a wrangle, during which each team defends its math circle answer and challenges other teams’ solutions. — Liz Wegerer, IEEE Spectrum, 31 Aug. 2026

Sacramento County sheriff defends electric gloves Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper confirmed Thursday that his department spent $35,000 to purchase 10 of the devices. — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

There will be questions about FSU’s lighter defensive front and how the group defends the run. — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

The 16-year-old New Zealand amateur successfully defends her title, closing with a 6-under 64 for her fourth win in 14 professional events. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026