DEFEND Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'defend' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of defend are guard , protect , safeguard , and shield . While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack. // defend the country

Q: When is 'guard' a more appropriate choice than 'defend'?

The meanings of guard and defend largely overlap; however, guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger. // White House entrances are well guarded

Q: When would 'protect' be a good substitute for 'defend'?

The synonyms protect and defend are sometimes interchangeable, but protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure. // a hard hat to protect your head

Q: When might 'safeguard' be a better fit than 'defend'?

Although the words safeguard and defend have much in common, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger. // our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Q: Where would 'shield' be a reasonable alternative to 'defend'?

The words shield and defend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack. // shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

defend

verb

di-ˈfend

Definition of defend next

as in to protect

to drive danger or attack away from a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to justify

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word defend different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of defend are guard, protect, safeguard, and shield. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When is guard a more appropriate choice than defend?

The meanings of guard and defend largely overlap; however, guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

When would protect be a good substitute for defend?

The synonyms protect and defend are sometimes interchangeable, but protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

When might safeguard be a better fit than defend?

Although the words safeguard and defend have much in common, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Where would shield be a reasonable alternative to defend?

The words shield and defend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defend After defeating Liv Morgan for the Women's World Championship on Raw's premiere, Ripley successfully defended the title against Nia Jax at Saturday Night's Main Event in January. —

Jeremy Hanna, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025 Latah County Deputy Prosecutor Ashley Jennings defended the eyewitness, telling the court the most important thing that came from her in the probable cause affidavit was her description of the suspect as a White male, slender and tall. —

Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025 Gensler, who emerged as an adversary to the crypto industry, had defended the rule as necessary to protect investors in the event of crypto firm bankruptcies. —

Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2025 The 21-year-old — who joined United’s academy from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 — impressed with his ability to cover large amounts of space when defending against Arsenal in their FA Cup tie on Sunday. —

Carl Anka, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for defend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defend

Verb

In 1994, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with her complaints and agreed that the government has a duty to protect a prisoner from violence and acknowledged the particular vulnerability of trans inmates.

— Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025
On this night in Brentwood, however, Dunn remains focused on the job at hand, protecting North Bristol Avenue from fire and looters and whatever threats may be lurking in the shadows.

— Jason McGahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025