defending

/dɪˈfend/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪfˈɛndɪŋ] /dɪˈfend/ (ame, ipa)

defending — verb

1. to keep a person, place, right, or idea safe when other people are trying to har

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to keep a person, place, right, or idea safe when other people are trying to harm it, attack it, or speak strongly against it.

例句

Lan spent the meeting defending her research plan from sharp criticism.

defending + object + from criticism

Firefighters were defending the museum while sparks flew across the street.

同義詞
  • protect

    the broad everyday word for keeping someone or something safe

  • guard

    stresses watching and keeping danger away, often physically

  • shield

    emphasises covering someone from harm or blame

反義詞
  • attack

    to try to harm rather than keep safe

  • abandon

    to leave someone or something without protection

文法句型

defending + noun

defending + noun + from/against + threat

defending against + attack/criticism

用法筆記

Object is usually the person or thing under threat. You can add 'against' or 'from' to name the danger: defending the village against floods, defending a friend from unfair comments. Distinguish from sense 2, where the focus is on giving spoken or written support.

常見錯誤

❌She is defending against her brother.
✅She is defending her brother.
💡use the threatened person or thing as the direct object.
❌They defended from the criticism.
✅They defended themselves from the criticism.
💡name who or what is being protected.

2. to explain in speech or writing why a person, action, or belief should still be

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to explain in speech or writing why a person, action, or belief should still be supported after other people have criticised it.

例句

Christopher wrote an email defending the school's music program after the cuts.

defending a plan or program in writing

Padma stood before reporters, defending the mayor's decision to close the road.

同義詞
  • justify

    focuses on showing that an action or decision was right

  • back

    more informal; often means giving open support

  • support

    broader and less argumentative than 'defend'

反義詞
  • criticise

    to point out faults instead of supporting

  • condemn

    to say strongly that something is wrong

文法句型

defending + idea/decision/person

defending + object + in public

defending + object + in writing

用法筆記

This sense is about reasons and public support, not physical safety. The object is often a decision, policy, action, or person whose reputation is being challenged. Distinguish from sense 3 when the support happens as legal work in court.

常見錯誤

❌She is defending for the new rule.
✅She is defending the new rule.
💡'defend' takes the idea directly as its object.
❌He defended that the plan was fair.
✅He argued that the plan was fair while defending it.
💡use a direct object after 'defending'.

3. to work as the lawyer for someone charged with a crime and try to show in court

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to work as the lawyer for someone charged with a crime and try to show in court that the case against that person should not succeed.

例句

The firm is defending a shop owner accused of tax fraud.

defending + accused person

Iris spent three weeks defending the driver in the district court.

defending someone in court

同義詞
  • represent

    the standard legal word for acting for a client in a case

  • act for

    formal legal phrase for serving as someone's lawyer

  • advocate for

    broader; can be legal, political, or social rather than strictly courtroom work

反義詞
  • prosecute

    to act in court against the accused person

文法句型

defending + defendant

defending + person + in court

defending + person + against a charge

用法筆記

Used in legal settings. The object is the accused person, not the judge or the court. Distinguish from sense 2: both involve argument, but this sense specifically means acting as legal counsel in a case.

常見錯誤

❌The lawyer is defending for the nurse.
✅The lawyer is defending the nurse.
💡the person receiving legal help is the direct object.
❌She defended the case in the court.
✅She defended the client in court.
💡this sense focuses on the accused person you represent.

4. to compete again as the current winner and try to stop another player or team fr

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

to compete again as the current winner and try to stop another player or team from taking your title, trophy, or championship.

例句

Nala is defending her singles title at the Taipei Open this week.

defending + title in a tournament

The club spent the season defending its league crown against younger teams.

同義詞
  • retain

    more formal; often used in sports reports about keeping a title

  • hold on to

    more informal and broader than sports language

反義詞
  • lose

    to fail to keep the title or trophy

  • surrender

    formal; used when a champion gives up a title

文法句型

defending + title/trophy/championship

defending champion + event

用法筆記

Usually used for championships, cups, belts, medals, or titles that were won before. Distinguish from sense 5: here the goal is keeping a prize you already hold, not stopping the other side from scoring during play.

常見錯誤

❌She is defending in the final.
✅She is defending her title in the final.
💡name the title or trophy being kept.
❌They defended the match last year.
✅They defended their championship last year.
💡you defend the title, not the event itself.

5. to play on the side that blocks the other team from making goals, points, or oth

5.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to play on the side that blocks the other team from making goals, points, or other scores during a game.

例句

Kian and Trang were defending deep while the other team pressed forward.

defending deep in team sport

Our centre-back spent ninety minutes defending against fast wingers from Busan.

defending against an opponent

同義詞
  • mark

    focuses on staying close to a particular opponent

  • cover

    emphasises protecting an area or teammate

  • hold off

    suggests preventing the attack from succeeding

反義詞
  • attack

    to try to score instead of stopping the other side

文法句型

defending against + player/team

defending + goal/basket

defending corners/set pieces

用法筆記

This sense belongs to live play in sport. It can describe a team's general shape (defending deep) or one player's task (defending the basket, defending against a striker). Distinguish from sense 4, which is about keeping a championship over a season or tournament.

常見錯誤

❌Our team is defending the title' (when talking about one match).
✅Our team is defending well.
💡use this sense for play on the field, not for keeping a championship.
❌She defended from the striker.
✅She defended against the striker.
💡use 'against' for the opponent you are trying to stop.