defend
/dɪˈfend/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪfˈɛnd] /dɪˈfend/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪfˈɛnd] /di-ˈfend/ (ame, mw)
defend — verb
- defendpresent simple I / you / we / they
- defendshe / she / it
- defendedpast simple
- defending-ing form
1. to protect a person, place, or thing from being hurt, damaged, or criticized
to protect a person, place, or thing from being hurt, damaged, or criticized
The soldiers fought bravely to defend the village from the invading army.
defend + [place] from + [threat]
Pedro defended his younger brother when the bullies started teasing him at school.
defend + [person] against + [aggressor]
Neighbors grabbed garden tools to defend the elderly couple from the two armed robbers who broke into their home.
The organization works to defend the rights of refugees who have fled their home countries.
Citizens have a right to defend themselves when their lives are in danger.
- attack
direct opposite — to harm instead of protect
文法句型
defend + noun phrase against/from + noun phrase
常見錯誤
2. to support a person or an idea through speech or writing when others are critici
to support a person or an idea through speech or writing when others are criticizing them
Emre defended his colleague during the meeting when others criticized her proposal.
defend + [person] when criticized
The minister defended the new policy in a long speech to the parliament.
Yael wrote an article defending the traditional methods of teaching languages.
How can you defend a company that treats its workers so unfairly?
Greta defended her view that schools should teach more music and art classes.
- stand up for
more informal and emotional; B1 level
- support
broader meaning, not limited to responding to criticism; A2 level
文法句型
defend + noun phrase
defend + that-clause
用法筆記
Often used with a that-clause to introduce the argument being supported: 'She defended the idea that…'
常見錯誤
3. to serve as the legal representative of a person facing criminal charges, arguin
to serve as the legal representative of a person facing criminal charges, arguing for their innocence
A well-known lawyer was hired to defend Obi against the theft charges.
passive: be hired to defend [person] against [charge]
Sahil spent three years studying law so he could defend people in court.
The young attorney defended her first client in a difficult murder case last month.
If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint someone to defend you.
- represent
broader legal meaning — can cover any client in any legal matter; B2 level
- prosecute
to bring a criminal case against someone in court; B2 level
文法句型
defend + noun phrase (accused person)
defend + noun phrase against + charge
用法筆記
The subject is typically a lawyer or legal team; the object is the accused person. This sense is distinct from sense 2 (聲援) because it refers specifically to formal legal representation in court.
常見錯誤
4. to play in a championship contest as the current winner, hoping to remain champi
to play in a championship contest as the current winner, hoping to remain champion
The champion boxer will defend his world title against a tough challenger next month.
defend + [title] against + [opponent]
Lisa is trying to defend her gold medal at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
The team has not lost a match all season and hopes to defend its championship.
Dahlia successfully defended her tennis title for the third year in a row.
- retain
more formal; C1 level
文法句型
defend + noun phrase (title/championship/medal)
用法筆記
Always followed by the name of the title, medal, or championship — not the match or tournament itself. You defend a title, not a game.
常見錯誤
5. to prevent a player or team in a game from gaining points or achieving a win
to prevent a player or team in a game from gaining points or achieving a win
Feng plays as a centre-back and is very good at defending set pieces.
defend + [type of play] (sports context)
The goalkeeper defended his goal brilliantly, stopping every shot that came his way.
Dewi sprinted back to defend against the fast break by the opposing team.
Good teams know how to defend as a unit rather than relying on individual players.
Reema defended well throughout the match and did not let her opponent score.
- guard
more specific to staying close to an opponent; B1 level
- attack
to try to score instead of preventing the opponent from scoring
文法句型
defend + noun phrase (goal/position)
defend + against + noun phrase
用法筆記
Can be used both transitively ('defend the goal') and intransitively ('the team defended well'). This sense differs from sense 4 (衛冕) in that it describes in-game actions rather than the overall goal of keeping a title.