defend

IPA/dɪˈfend/
KK[dɪfˈɛnd]IPA/dɪˈfend/

defend — 動詞

  • 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

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

防衛;保護

保護人事物免受傷害

to protect a person, place, or thing from being hurt, damaged, or criticized

例句

The soldiers fought bravely to defend the village from the invading army.

士兵們奮勇作戰,保衛村莊免受入侵軍隊的攻擊。

defend + [place] from + [threat]

Pedro defended his younger brother when the bullies started teasing him at school.

Pedro 在學校挺身保護他的弟弟,不讓惡霸欺負他。

defend + [person] against + [aggressor]

常見搭配
  • fiercely defend
  • defend against attack
  • defend yourself
  • defend the rights of
同義詞
  • protect

    more general and passive; A2 level

  • shield

    emphasizes placing a barrier between danger and the person

  • guard

    suggests continuous watchfulness, often by a person assigned to the role

反義詞
  • attack

    direct opposite — to harm instead of protect

文法句型

defend + noun phrase against/from + noun phrase

常見錯誤

The thick walls defended us from the noise.
The thick walls protected us from the noise.
'defend' implies active resistance, while 'protect' works better for passive barriers.

2. to support a person or an idea through speech or writing when others are critici

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

聲援

以言語支持受批評者

to support a person or an idea through speech or writing when others are criticizing them

例句

Emre defended his colleague during the meeting when others criticized her proposal.

Emre 在會議上站出來聲援遭到批評的同事提案。

defend + [person] when criticized

The minister defended the new policy in a long speech to the parliament.

部長在向議會發表的長篇演說中為新政策聲援。

常見搭配
  • vigorously defend
  • publicly defend
  • defend the decision
  • defend a position
同義詞
  • stand up for

    more informal and emotional; B1 level

  • support

    broader meaning, not limited to responding to criticism; A2 level

反義詞

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

He defended his friend by saying he was a good person.
He defended his friend by pointing out that the accusations were false.
a meaningful defense addresses the specific criticism rather than making a vague positive statement.

3. to serve as the legal representative of a person facing criminal charges, arguin

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

辯護

在法庭上為被告辯護

to serve as the legal representative of a person facing criminal charges, arguing for their innocence

例句

A well-known lawyer was hired to defend Obi against the theft charges.

一位知名律師受聘為 Obi 辯護,處理他的盜竊指控。

passive: be hired to defend [person] against [charge]

Sahil spent three years studying law so he could defend people in court.

Sahil 花了三年研讀法律,以便能在法庭上為人辯護。

常見搭配
  • defend a client
  • defend against charges
  • defend a case
  • defend in court
同義詞
  • represent

    broader legal meaning — can cover any client in any legal matter; B2 level

反義詞
  • 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

The lawyer defended the guilty man.
The lawyer defended the man accused of the crime.
'defend' refers to the lawyer's role in representing someone; whether the person is actually guilty is determined by the trial outcome.

4. to play in a championship contest as the current winner, hoping to remain champi

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

衛冕

爭取保住冠軍頭銜

to play in a championship contest as the current winner, hoping to remain champion

例句

The champion boxer will defend his world title against a tough challenger next month.

這位冠軍拳擊手將在下個月迎戰強勁挑戰者,衛冕世界冠軍頭銜。

defend + [title] against + [opponent]

Lisa is trying to defend her gold medal at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

Lisa 正努力在即將到來的巴黎奧運會上衛冕她的金牌。

常見搭配
  • defend a title
  • defend a championship
  • defend a medal
  • defend the crown
同義詞

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

The team defended the match.
The team defended its championship title.
'defend' is used with the prize or rank, not the event.

5. to prevent a player or team in a game from gaining points or achieving a win

5.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

防守

阻止對手得分或取勝

to prevent a player or team in a game from gaining points or achieving a win

例句

Feng plays as a centre-back and is very good at defending set pieces.

Feng 踢中後衛位置,非常擅長防守定位球。

defend + [type of play] (sports context)

The goalkeeper defended his goal brilliantly, stopping every shot that came his way.

守門員出色地防守球門,擋住了朝他所踢來的每一次射門。

常見搭配
  • defend the goal
  • defend well
  • defend against
  • defend as a team
同義詞
  • guard

    more specific to staying close to an opponent; B1 level

反義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

He defended the ball.
He defended the goal.
In sports, you defend a goal, a territory, or a position, not the ball itself.

同根字

常見搭配

常用片語

  • defend yourself
  • defend the indefensible

介系詞搭配