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

Examples 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 At the same time, legacy platforms such as X and Facebook have grown politically polarized, fractured, and out of touch with the users who used to defend them. —

Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2025 The Biden administration has defended the law by citing a compelling interest in national security. —

Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025 Stephens would do well to stop flagellating himself and the Never Trumpers and instead join democracy advocates in defending the rule of law in a dangerous new world. —

Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025 Still, companies including Apple, Costco and Target continue to maintain and defend DEI practices. —

Kate Gibson, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for defend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defend

Verb

It’s been such a struggle protecting the Patrick Mahomes blindside this season that the Chiefs recently asked guard Joe Thuney to move outside to tackle.

Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
Later, after the horrors of World War II, the laws of war were expanded to protect civilians.

Hurst Hannum, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025