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defendto protect someone or something from attack or harm

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to protect someone or something from attack or harm

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈfend/

Example Sentences

  • My mom can defend her kimchi recipe better than a lawyer defends their client.
  • The goalkeeper defended the goal like it was his own refrigerator.
  • Students must defend their thesis to graduate from university.

defend

VERB

[/dɪˈfend/]

to protect someone or something from attack or harm

Mother bear defending her cubs
💡 Concept

Mother bear defending her cubs

The country moved quickly to defend its border systems after rising tensions.
🧠 Mnemonic

The country moved quickly to defend its border systems after rising tensions.

Defend the gate, extend your blade, spend your strength to never fade!
🎵 Rhyme

Defend the gate, extend your blade, spend your strength to never fade!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈfend/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈfend/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootfend

Origin

Derived from Latin 'defendere', formed by combining 'de' (down, away) and 'fendere' (to strike, push). The compound originally meant 'to strike down' or 'to ward off by striking', evoking the image of deflecting an attacker's blow downward with a shield.

Breakdown

de- (down, away) + fendere (to strike, push, thrust). The prefix 'de-' indicates direction or removal, while 'fendere' carries the sense of forceful striking or pushing motion.

🎵Rhyme

extendintendattendblendspend
extend
intend
attend
blend
spend

🔗Collocations

defend against
defend yourself
defend the title
defend one's position
successfully defend
defend the goal

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My mom can defend her kimchi recipe better than a lawyer defends their client.

😄 Fun example

The goalkeeper defended the goal like it was his own refrigerator.

Students must defend their thesis to graduate from university.

The antivirus software defends your computer from malicious attacks.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

protectguardshieldsafeguardsecure

Antonyms

attackassaultabandon

Related

defensedefensivedefenderfendoffense

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