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

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

Romero defends his belt for the first time, while Lopez makes his 147-pound debut, eyeing future undisputed glory. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

This performance is a textbook example of what happens when an opponent defends particularly well and Bruno Fernandes does not bail United out. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Continue reading … PARENTAL RIGHTS ROW — Florida Dem Senate nominee defends taking her kids to drag queen shows. — FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Aloe and Centella asiatica lend soothing benefits, antioxidant-rich green tea defends against environmental stressors, and ceramides support the skin barrier. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026

The number of complaints involving Discord between January and July increased by 54% compared to the same period last year, according to data from Safernet Brazil, a nonprofit that defends human rights on the internet. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Sasa takes on a rape case that strikes close to home, while his friend Kalle defends a client in a gang trial that tests his ideals. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Trump defends Pete Hegseth amid concerns about the defense secretary’s leadership. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026