defend

v 1: argue in defense of [syn: {support}, {fend for}]

2: be on the defensive; act against an attack [ant: {attack}]

3: protect against a challenge or attack: "Hold that position

behind the trees!" "Hold the bridge against the enemy's

attacks" [syn: {guard}, {hold}]

4: fight against or resist strongly; "The senator said he would

oppose the bill" [syn: {fight}, {oppose}, {fight back}, {fight

down}]

5: protect or fight for as a champion [syn: {champion}]

6: be the defense counsel for someone in a trial [syn: {represent}]

[ant: {prosecute}]

7: state or assert; "He maintained his innocence" [syn: {maintain}]