Meaning & use
defending
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“defending” is a form of “defend”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Protecting someone or something from attack, criticism, or harm.
Grammar: Can take an object (defend a city) or be used without one (they defended bravely).
Patterns
- defend someone/something
- defend against something
- defend from something
The soldiers were defending the village from the invaders.
She defended her friend when others criticized him.
The lawyer is defending a man accused of theft.
verbtransitive
Arguing in support of an idea, decision, or person against opposition.
Grammar: Takes an object: defend a decision, defend your rights.
Patterns
- defend a decision
- defend your position
- defend someone's rights
The politician defended the new tax policy in parliament.
He defended his thesis successfully.
She defended her choice to study abroad.
adjectivebefore a nounsport
Currently holding a title or position won in a previous competition.
Grammar: Used before a noun: the defending champion, the defending team.
Patterns
- defending champion
- defending team
- defending titleholder
The defending champion lost in the first round.
The defending team struggled to keep their lead.
She is the defending titleholder in the 100-meter race.
Word forms
| third person singular | defends |
|---|---|
| past tense | defended |
| past participle | defended |
| -ing form | defending |
Common combinations
- defend against
- The country must defend against cyber attacks.
- defend a title
- The boxer will defend his title next month.
- defend oneself
- She learned to defend herself in self-defense class.
- strongly defend
- He strongly defended his actions.
- defend a position
- The general ordered troops to defend the position.
Synonyms and how they differ
- protect
- Protect is more general and often implies preventing harm; defend suggests actively fighting off an attack.
- guard
- Guard means to watch over and keep safe, often by staying near; defend can involve fighting or arguing.
- uphold
- Uphold is used for supporting laws or decisions, not for physical protection.
Opposites
Word family
- defense noun
- The act of protecting or the means used to protect.
- defensive adjective
- Quick to protect oneself or intended to defend.
- defender noun
- A person who defends.
- defensible adjective
- Able to be defended or justified.
Commonly confused: defending or defendant?
defending vs defendant
Defendant is a person accused in a court case; defending is the act of protecting or arguing for someone.
Practice
The lawyer is ______ the accused man in court.
Choose one answer.
The present continuous 'is defending' is correct because the action is happening now. 'Defender' is a noun and cannot follow 'is' in this way; 'defensive' is an adjective; 'defend' would need 'to' or a modal.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “defending”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.