DEFEND


Meaning of DEFEND in English

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

Oxford Collocations English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь словосочетаний .