1.  defend(v = verb.communication) fend for, support - argue or speak in defense of; "She supported the motion to strike"
is one way to argue, reason
Derived forms noun defence₆, noun defender₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody; Something ----s somebody; Something ----s something

2.  defend(v = verb.competition) - be on the defensive; act against an attack;
is one way to keep, prevent
Antonym: attack
Derived forms noun defence₂, adjective defensible₁, adjective defensive₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody

3.  defend(v = verb.competition) guard, hold - protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"
is one way to protect
Derived forms noun defence₄, noun defender₁, adjective defensible₁, adjective defensive₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

4.  defend(v = verb.competition) fight, fight back, fight down, oppose - fight against or resist strongly; "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don't fight it!"
is one way to contend, fight, struggle
Derived form adjective defensive₂
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody

5.  defend(v = verb.competition) champion - protect or fight for as a champion;
is one way to back, endorse, indorse, plump for, plunk for, support
Derived forms noun defender₁, adjective defensible₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody

6.  defend(v = verb.social) represent - be the defense counsel for someone in a trial; "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant"
Antonym: prosecute
Derived forms noun defence₃, noun defendant₁
Sample sentences: They want to defend the prisoners

7.  defend(v = verb.communication) maintain - state or assert; "He maintained his innocence"
is one way to affirm
Derived forms adjective defensible₁, adjective defensive₂
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

defend, v.tr. (also absol.)
1 (often foll. by against, from) resist an attack made on; protect (a person or thing) from harm or danger.
2 support or uphold by argument; speak or write in favour of.
3 conduct the case for (a defendant in a lawsuit).

Derivative:
defendable adj. defender n.

Etymology:
ME f. OF defendre f. L defendere: cf. OFFEND

VB  defend, forfend, fend, shield, screen, shroud, engarrison, fend round, fence, entrench, intrench, guard, guard against, take care of, bear harmless, fend off, keep off, ward off, beat off, beat back, hinder, parry, repel, propugn, put to flight, give a warm reception to, hold at bay, keep at bay, keep arm's length, stand on the defensive, act on the defensive, show fight, maintain one's ground, stand one's ground, stand by, hold one's own, bear the brunt, stand the brunt, fall back upon, hold, stand in the gap.

N  vindication, justification, warrant, exoneration, exculpation, acquittal, whitewashing, extenuation, palliation, palliative, softening, mitigation, reply, defense, recrimination, apology, gloss, varnish, plea, salvo, excuse, extenuating circumstances, allowance, allowance to be made, locus paenitentiae, apologist, vindicator, justifier, defendant, justifiable charge, true bill, v, justify, warrant, be an excuse for, lend a color, furnish a handle, vindicate, exculpate, disculpate, acquit, clear, set right, exonerate, whitewash, clear the skirts of, extenuate, palliate, excuse, soften, apologize, varnish, slur, gloze, put a gloss, put a good face upon, mince, gloss over, bolster up, help a lame dog over a stile, advocate, defend, plead one's cause, stand up for, stick up for, speak up for, contend for, speak for, bear out, keep in countenance, support, plead, say in defense, plead ignorance, confess and avoid, propugn, put in a good word for, take the will for the deed, make allowance for, give credit for, do justice to, give one his due, give the Devil his due, make good, prove the truth of, prove one's case, be justified by the event, vindicated, vindicating, exculpatory, apologetic, excusable, defensible, pardonable, venial, veniable, specious, plausible, justifiable, honi sot qui mal y pense, good wine needs no bush.