v., -fend·ed, -fend·ing, -fends. v.tr.
- To make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm.
- Sports.
- To attempt to prevent the opposition from scoring while playing in or near (a goal or area of a field, for example).
- To be responsible for guarding (an opposing player).
- To compete against a challenger in an attempt to retain (a championship).
- To support or maintain, as by argument or action; justify.
- Law.
- To represent (a defendant) in a civil or criminal action.
- To attempt to disprove or invalidate (an action or claim).
- To make a defense.
- Sports. To play defense.
[Middle English defenden, from Old French defendre, from Latin dēfendere, to ward off.]
defendable de·fend'a·ble adj.defender de·fend'er n.
SYNONYMS defend, protect, guard, preserve, shield, safeguard. These verbs mean to make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm. Defend implies repelling an attack: defending her territory; defended his reputation. Protect often suggests providing a barrier to discomfort, injury, or attack: bought a dog to protect the children; wore sunglasses to protect her eyes. Guard suggests keeping watch: guarded the house against intruders. To preserve is to take measures to maintain something in safety: ecologists working to preserve our natural resources. Shield suggests protecting with a piece of defensive armor: hid the newspaper to shield me from the bad news. Safeguard stresses protection against potential danger: The Bill of Rights safeguards our individual liberties.
