1. argue or speak in defense of; "She supported the motion to strike"
2. state or assert; "He maintained his innocence"
3. fight against or resist strongly; "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don''t fight it!"
4. be on the defensive; act against an attack
5. protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy''s attacks"
6. protect or fight for as a champion
7. be the defense counsel for someone in a trial; "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant"

Similar Words: support, fend for, maintain, fight, oppose, fight back, fight down, guard, hold, champion, represent

 

Hyponyms: apologize, apologise, excuse, justify, rationalize, rationalise, stand up, stick up, uphold, vindicate, recalcitrate, resist, stand, fend, hold out, withstand, stand firm, repel, repulse, fight off, rebuff, drive back, bulwark, protect, ward off, check, turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold back

 

Grouped Verbs: hold

 

Entailments: fight, struggle

 

Derivational Morphology: support, patron, sponsor, supporter, protagonist, champion, admirer, booster, friend, defender, guardian, protector, shielder, defense, defence, vindication, confrontation, opposition, adversary, antagonist, opponent, opposer, resister, fight, combatant, battler, belligerent, fighter, scrapper, fighter aircraft, attack aircraft, defending team, defense force, defence force, hero, paladin, representation, defendant, suspect, defense team, defense lawyers