1
general::
defend
to say something to support an idea or person when other people are criticizing them:
• The mayor defended the action, saying that it was the best option.
stand up for somebody/something
to strongly defend someone who is being criticized, or strongly defend your ideas or your rights:
• My grandfather would always stand up for what was right. • I don't want him fighting, but I do want him to stand up for himself.
stick up for somebody
informal to strongly defend someone who is being criticized, especially when no one else will defend them:
• The other kids tease her, but Sarah often sticks up for her.
come to somebody's defence
British English ( also come to somebody's defense American English ) to say something to defend someone who is being criticized:
• Aitken's colleagues quickly came to his defence.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
verb protect against attack PREP. against PHRASES heavily defended The city was heavily defended against attack. support ADV. fiercely, hotly, robustly, staunchly, stoutly, strenuously, strongly, vigorously The company has strenuously defended its decision to reduce the workforce. | publicly PREP. against She defended her department against accusations of incompetence. in sport/competitions ADV. successfully PREP. against The champion successfully defended his title against the American challenger.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary