1. Argue or speak in defence of
   - support, fend for 
2. Be on the defensive; act against an attack 
3. Protect against a challenge or attack
   - guard, hold 
4. Fight against or resist strongly
   - fight, oppose, fight back, fight down 
5. Protect or fight for as a champion
   - champion 
6. Be the defence counsel for someone in a trial
   - represent 
7. State or assert
   - maintain

Derived forms: defending, defends, defended

See also: defence [Brit, Cdn], defendant, defender, defensible, defensive

Type of: affirm, argue, back, contend, endorse, fight, indorse, keep, plump for, plunk for, prevent, protect, reason, struggle, support

Antonym: attack, prosecute

Encyclopedia: Defend

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• wheat rust
• wheat scab
• wheatear
• wheately elm
• wheaten
• wheatfield
• wheatflake
• wheatgrass
• Wheatley
• Wheatstone
• Wheatstone bridge
• wheatworm
• whee
• wheedle
• wheedler
• wheedling
• wheel
• wheel and axle
• wheel around
• wheel boot
• wheel bug
• wheel clamp
• wheel horse
• wheel lock