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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Defend: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：protect from harm (defend)

defend 🔊

/dɪˈfend/

To protect someone or something from harm, attack, or criticism.

Basketball player defending opponent from scoring on court

protect from harm 🔊

➕

/prəˈtɛkt frəm hɑrm/

To take action to keep someone or something safe from danger, attack, or criticism.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'defendere': de- (away) + fendere (strike). Literally 'to strike away'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a 'fence' you build for protection (de-fence, defend).

📖 Example

When the dog ran towards the little girl, her older brother quickly stepped forward to defend her. 🔊 When the dog ran towards the little girl, her older brother quickly stepped forward to protect her.

🔗 Collocations

defend against – to protect oneself from an attack or threat

defend someone's rights – to take action to ensure someone's legal or moral entitlements are upheld

defend a position – to argue in favor of a particular stance or viewpoint

🔄 Synonyms

protect (v.) – to keep someone or something safe from harm

shield (v.) – to protect from a danger, risk, or unpleasant experience

safeguard (v.) – to protect against damage or loss

🚫 Antonyms

attack (v.) – to take aggressive action against someone or something

abandon (v.) – to leave someone or something without protection or support

🌱 Derivatives

defender (n.) – a person who protects someone or something

defense (n.) – the action of protecting from attack

defensive (adj.) – used or intended to protect against attack

📖 Cultural Story

Originating in ancient Roman law, 'defendere' meant to ward off harm. By the 13th century, it entered English legal and military contexts, embodying protection against physical or legal threats.

Meaning 2：prevent opponent from scoring (defend)

defend 🔊

/dɪˈfend/

In sports, to try to stop the other team or player from scoring points or winning.

Soccer defenders marking opponent during match on field

prevent opponent from scoring 🔊

➕

/prɪˈvɛnt əˈpoʊnənt frəm ˈskɔrɪŋ/

In sports, to take actions to stop the opposing team or player from scoring points or gaining an advantage.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Our team needs to defend better in the second half if we want to keep our lead. 🔊 Our team needs to prevent the opponent from scoring better in the second half if we want to keep our lead.

🔗 Collocations

defend the goal – to protect the goal area to prevent the other team from scoring

defend a title – to try to keep a championship by winning again

defend against a counterattack – to prepare for and stop a quick offensive move by the opponent

🔄 Synonyms

guard (v.) – to watch over and protect a player or area in sports

protect (v.) – in sports, to keep the ball or area safe from opponents

block (v.) – to obstruct an opponent's shot or move

🚫 Antonyms

attack (v.) – to try to score or gain an advantage over the opponent

yield (v.) – to give up ground or allow the opponent to score

🌱 Derivatives

defense (n.) – the team or players tasked with preventing scoring

defender (n.) – a player whose primary role is to prevent the opponent from scoring

defensive (adj.) – relating to the act of protecting against an opponent's attack

Meaning 3：represent a client in court (defend)

defend 🔊

/dɪˈfend/

To act as a lawyer for someone accused of a crime in court, arguing that they are not guilty.

Lawyer defending client in courtroom with documents

represent a client in court 🔊

➕

/ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ə ˈklaɪənt ɪn kɔrt/

To act as a lawyer for someone accused of a crime, presenting arguments and evidence to show that the accused is not guilty.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The famous lawyer agreed to defend the artist, believing strongly in his innocence. 🔊 The famous lawyer agreed to represent the artist in court, believing strongly in his innocence.

🔗 Collocations

defend a case – to argue on behalf of a defendant in a legal proceeding

defend the accused – to act as legal counsel for a person charged with a crime

defend against charges – to present a legal argument to counter criminal accusations

🔄 Synonyms

represent (v.) – to act as a lawyer for someone in court

advocate (v.) – to publicly support or argue for someone's cause in a legal context

plead (v.) – to argue a case in a court of law

🚫 Antonyms

prosecute (v.) – to bring legal action against someone for a crime

accuse (v.) – to claim that someone has committed a crime

🌱 Derivatives

defendant (n.) – a person accused of a crime who is being defended in court

defense (n.) – the case presented by or on behalf of the accused

defender (n.) – a lawyer who represents a defendant