verb
1 protect against attack
ADVERB
▪ adequately , effectively , properly ( esp. BrE ), successfully
▪
Computer users need to ensure their systems are properly ~ed.
▪
She successfully ~ed herself against an attack from someone larger and stronger.
▪ heavily
▪
The city was heavily ~ed against attack.
▪ lightly
▪
They attacked the left flank, which was only lightly ~ed.
PREPOSITION
▪ against
2 support
ADVERB
▪ actively , aggressively ( esp. AmE ), fiercely , passionately , robustly ( BrE ), strongly , vehemently , vigorously
▪
The company has vigorously ~ed its decision to reduce the workforce.
▪ staunchly , steadfastly , stoutly ( BrE ), valiantly
▪ adequately , effectively , successfully
▪ publicly
PREPOSITION
▪ against
▪
She ~ed her department against accusations of incompetence.
3 in sports/competitions
ADVERB
▪ successfully
PREPOSITION
▪ against
▪
The champion successfully ~ed his title against the challenger.
Defend is used with these nouns as the subject: ↑ soldier
Defend is used with these nouns as the object: ↑ airspace , ↑ base , ↑ castle , ↑ championship , ↑ choice , ↑ country , ↑ crown , ↑ decision , ↑ democracy , ↑ dissertation , ↑ doctrine , ↑ flank , ↑ freedom , ↑ frontier , ↑ homeland , ↑ honour , ↑ integrity , ↑ interest , ↑ liberty , ↑ majority , ↑ nation , ↑ nest , ↑ pass , ↑ perimeter , ↑ position , ↑ practice , ↑ prerogative , ↑ realm , ↑ religion , ↑ republic , ↑ reputation , ↑ right , ↑ seat , ↑ shore , ↑ slavery , ↑ sovereignty , ↑ status quo , ↑ suit , ↑ system , ↑ territory , ↑ thesis , ↑ title , ↑ tradition , ↑ trophy , ↑ turf , ↑ view