Defend (Verb)
Meaning 1
Be the defense counsel for someone in a trial; "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- Our team of lawyers will defend the client against these unsubstantiated allegations.
- As the defense counsel, Ms. Johnson will defend her client to the best of her abilities.
- The court-appointed attorney will defend the accused in the upcoming trial.
- Mr. Thompson's job is to defend his client's rights and interests in this legal matter.
- Our law firm specializes in defending individuals charged with white-collar crimes.
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Meaning 2
Protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The soldier was trained to defend his country against all forms of threat and aggression.
- The coastguards will defend the port from pirate ships and smugglers.
- She stepped forward to defend her colleague against the unfair accusations.
- We must defend our homes from the devastating floodwaters by building a stronger wall.
- The local residents banded together to defend their town against the rioters.
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Meaning 3
Be on the defensive; act against an attack.
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- Troops were deployed to defend the city from enemy forces.
- The homeowner stood ready to defend her property from the intruder.
- She was ready to defend her actions in the upcoming press conference.
- The boxer raised his gloves to defend himself from his opponent's blows.
- The Prime Minister defended the government's policies against claims of corruption.
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Meaning 4
Protect or fight for as a champion.
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The lawyer was ready to defend her client in court against all the charges.
- She vowed to defend her family's reputation and honor whatever the cost may be.
- The small village was forced to defend itself against the invading army with limited resources.
- Many human rights advocates have stepped forward to defend the rights of the minority group.
- The boxer's main strategy was to defend his title against the challenger in the upcoming match.
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Meaning 5
Fight against or resist strongly; "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don't fight it!".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- They will defend their homeland against any foreign invasion at all costs.
- Her primary goal was to defend herself from the harsh criticism that she had been facing lately.
- He is willing to defend his country even if it means putting his own life at risk.
- The city's residents are ready to defend their homes from the impending natural disaster.
- She decided to defend her friend who was being bullied by their classmates.
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Meaning 6
State or assert; "He maintained his innocence".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- She continued to defend her decision despite the criticism from her colleagues.
- He will defend his thesis in front of the academic committee today.
- They defended their position by citing recent studies and research findings.
- The politician defend her voting record on the campaign trail.
- She struggled to defend her opinion in the face of overwhelming opposition from the audience.
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Meaning 7
Argue or speak in defense of; "She supported the motion to strike".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- She came forward to defend her sister's actions in court, explaining the circumstances that led to her decision.
- He had to defend his thesis against several critics who questioned his methodology and conclusions.
- The prosecutor defended her case against the defense attorney's closing arguments, maintaining that the evidence was clear-cut.
- In her speech, the politician defended her policy against fierce opposition, emphasizing its potential benefits for the economy.
- The activist was not afraid to defend the rights of the marginalized community, despite facing backlash from powerful opponents.