defend
gb/dɪfˈɛnd/ us/dɪfˈɛnd/
B1
Anglais
~ 2200
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B1
action
1
Protect from attack or harm
To keep someone or something safe from being hurt or damaged.
Schéma d’usage :
to defend [someone/something] from [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'defend' with 'protect'. 'Defend' usually suggests active resistance against an attack, while 'protect' can be more general and passive.
Synonymes
protect (A broader term for keeping something safe, not always involving active resistance.)
|
guard (Implies watching over to prevent harm, often more passive than 'defend'.)
Antonymes
attack (The opposite action of trying to harm or damage someone or something.)
Collocations
defend territory
|defend rights
|defend oneself
|defend a position
|defend the city
Thèmes
conflict
|law
|safety
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The soldiers defended the city against the invaders.
- She defended her friend from unfair criticism.
- The lawyer defended his client in court.
- He bravely defended the injured animal from the dog.
- We must defend our rights when they are threatened.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The dog defended the house.
- She defended her brother from the bully.
- The wall defends the garden from wind.
- He defended his team in the game.
- They defended their country.
Verbe
B2
action
2
Support against criticism
To say or do something to show that someone or something is right when others say it is wrong.
Schéma d’usage :
to defend [someone/something] against [criticism/accusation]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this meaning with physical protection. Here, 'defend' is about words and ideas, not physical safety.
Synonymes
justify (Focuses on giving reasons to show something is right.)
|
support (A broader term for standing by someone or something.)
Antonymes
criticize (To point out faults or express disapproval, which is the opposite of defending.)
Collocations
defend an idea
|defend a decision
|defend a policy
|defend a statement
Thèmes
communication
|argument
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- He defended his decision to leave early.
- The minister defended the new policy in front of reporters.
- She defended her colleague's actions during the meeting.
- The company defended its product against safety concerns.
- He defended his statement as being factually correct.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I defended my answer in class.
- She defended her choice to move.
- He defended his idea in the meeting.
- They defended their plan to the boss.
- The teacher defended the school's rules.
Verbe
technical
B1
action
3
Prevent opposing team from scoring
In sports, to try to stop the other team from getting points or goals.
Schéma d’usage :
to defend [a goal/position]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this with general protection; here it specifically refers to sports defense.
Synonymes
block (In sports, to physically stop an opponent's move.)
Antonymes
attack (In sports, to try to score points against an opponent.)
Collocations
defend the goal
|defend a lead
|defend a title
Thèmes
sports
Exemples
- The team defended well in the second half.
- He defended his title successfully in the championship match.
- They defended the goal with great skill.
- Our players defended strongly despite being tired.
Exemples pédagogiques
- We must defend our goal.
- He defended his title again.
- They defended well in the game.
- The team defended their lead until the end.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
defend
API
GB/dɪfˈɛnd/
US/dɪfˈɛnd/
Syllabes et accentuation
de - fend (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fend)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: defend
- 3rd Person Singular: defends
- Present Participle: defending
- Past: defended
Famille de mots
Forms
defends
verb
defending
verb
defended
verb
Related words
defensively
adverb
defensiveness
noun
defensible
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
defenceless
adjective
defenseless
adjective
indefensible
adjective
Advanced or less common
defensibility
noun C1
Expressions
defend a position
1/dɪfˈɛnd ə pəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Protect a place from attack or challenge
To keep control of a place when others try to take it away or disagree with you.
Exemples
- The army defended their position on the hill.
- He had to defend his position during the debate.
defend a title
1/dɪfˈɛnd ə tˈaɪtəl/
fixed phrase
technical
Compete again to keep championship
To try to win again so you can keep your championship or prize.
Exemples
- She will defend her title at next year's tournament.
- The champion is ready to defend his title.
defend oneself
1/dɪfˈɛnd wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Protect yourself from harm or blame
To keep yourself safe from harm or to say things to show you are not wrong.
Exemples
- She had to defend herself against the accusations.
- He learned how to defend himself in dangerous situations.