Synonyms and related words :
advocate, allege in support, answer, argue for, assert, back, back up, champion, contend for, counter, defend, espouse, get behind, get in behind, maintain, make a plea, plead for, rebut, refute, reply, respond, riposte, run interference for, say in defense, second, side with, speak for, speak up for, stand back of, stand behind, stand by, stand up for, stick by, support, sustain, take sides with, uphold, urge reasons for