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Synonyms for de fending
verb protect

preserve
contend
hold
secure
uphold
prevent
fight
resist
guard
maintain
oppose
retain
safeguard

shield
withstand
house
mine
fortify
battle
conserve
foster
sustain
entrench
war
nourish
avert

shelter
screen
espouse
watch
hedge
insure
save
bulwark
cover
cherish
garrison
fend off
stave off

take in
panoply
fight for
beat off
care for
guard against
hold at bay
keep safe
look after
provide sanctuary
repel danger
ward off
watch over

Antonyms for de fending

desert
surrender
release
endanger
harm
injure
aid
assist
ignore
squander
uncover

forsake
relinquish
resign
deny
renounce
hurt
abandon
give up
let go
lose
help

support
forget
neglect
discourage
make peace
waste
reveal
attack
leave
quit

Synonyms
verb show support for

champion
uphold
support
advocate
back
assert
maintain
guarantee
endorse
argue

explain
justify
exculpate
befriend
vindicate
rationalize
plead
stonewall
second
espouse

sustain
recommend
aid
warrant
exonerate
back up
go to bat for
stand by
apologize for
bear one out

come to defense of
cover for
prove a case
put in a good word
ride shotgun for
say in defense
speak up for
stand up for
stick up for
thump for

Antonyms

reject
disapprove
protest
ignore
blame
condemn
sentence
accuse

punish
desert
relinquish
resign
surrender
deny
forsake
renounce

oppose
neglect
abandon
attack
leave
quit

Synonyms
adj protective, watchful

opposing
conservative
preservative
uptight
arresting
resistive

thwarting
foiling
averting
forestalling
preventive
balking

checking
coping with
defending
frustrating
guarding
in opposition

interrupting
protecting
safeguarding
warding off
withstanding

Antonyms

unwary
unwatchful

undefensive
unprotective

Synonyms
adj defensive

alert
cautious
expectant
preservative

vigilant
watchful
preventive
averting

checking
defending
guarding
protecting

safeguarding
warding off
withstanding

Synonyms
adj antagonistic, against

allergic
antipathetic
antithetical
averse
clashing
conflicting
confronting
contrary
counter
crossing
defensive

disagreeing
enemy
facing
hostile
incompatible
inimical
irreconcilable
opposite
repelling
restrictive
rival

warring
antonymous
against the grain
anti
at cross-purposes
at odds
battling
combating
controverting
defending
denying

disputed
disputing
dissentient
exposing
gainsaying
in opposition
objecting
obstructive
protesting
up against

Antonyms

assisting
compatible

similar
aiding

helping

Synonyms
noun guarding; guard

vigilance
garrison
lookout
spy
watching

watch
protection
sentinel
scouting
policing

convoying
safeguarding
defending
escorting
protecting

rounds
patroler
watchperson

Synonyms
noun the act of insulating

padding
lining
covering
packing

surrounding
cushioning
caulking
furring

taping
cording
defending
isolating

neutralizing
protecting

Synonyms
adj antagonistic

inimical
hostile
opposing
averse
antithetical
conflicting
repelling
clashing
crossing
counter
rival

disagreeing
facing
warring
confronting
against
allergic
antipathetic
contrary
defensive
enemy
incompatible

irreconcilable
opposite
restrictive
antonymous
disputed
anti
objecting
battling
protesting
controverting
combating

defending
disputing
gainsaying
denying
exposing
at cross-purposes
at odds
dissentient
in opposition
obstructive
up against

Antonyms

friendly

kind

in favor of

Synonyms
adj opposing

adversarial
adverse
allergic
antagonistic
antipathetic
antithetical
antonymous
averse
clashing
conflicting
confronting
contrary

counter
crossing
defensive
disagreeing
enemy
facing
hostile
incompatible
inimical
irreconcilable
opposed
opposite

repelling
restrictive
rival
warring
against the grain
anti
at cross-purposes
at odds
battling
combating
controverting
defending

denying
disputed
disputing
dissentient
exposing
gainsaying
in opposition
objecting
obstructive
protesting
up against

Synonyms
adj preventive

defensive
deterrent

precautionary
preventative

protective
defending

Synonyms
verb verbally recognize authority

recognize
defend
accept
agree
endorse

support
accede
grant
acquiesce
ratify

certify
yield
own
allow
uphold

approve
attest to
defer to
subscribe to
take an oath

Antonyms

disapprove
deny
renounce
refuse
reject
dispute
contradict

protest
condemn
veto
disavow
invalidate
disallow
forswear

ignore
repudiate
abjure
disregard
decline
disagree
oppose

Synonyms
verb support idea or cause publicly

urge
uphold
support
back
favor
encourage
tout
recommend
propose
push
further
promote

defend
justify
plug
advance
champion
vindicate
bolster
bless
countenance
advise
boost
side

build up
go for
go to bat for
press for
campaign for
argue for
be in corner
brace up
get on bandwagon
give a leg up
give a lift
go with

hold with
plead for
plump for
ride shotgun for
root for
run interference for
say so
speak for
spread around
stump for

Antonyms

dissuade
refuse
reject
disapprove
hinder
block
conceal
hide

condemn
deny
decrease
prevent
undermine
assail
impugn
protest

discourage
oppose
hurt
halt
attack
criticize

Synonyms
verb reply, react

respond
claim
deny
resolve
return
acknowledge
explain
say
solve
plead

argue
defend
remark
feedback
sass
refute
rejoin
top
contest
retort

echo
squelch
settle
disprove
retaliate
comeback
parry
rebut
dispute
back talk

get back at
counterclaim
answer back
back at you
be in touch
field the question
get back to
give a snappy comeback
shoot back
talk back

Antonyms

request
deny
ignore
renounce

prove
ask
question
agree

wonder
leave
allow

Synonyms
verb try to convince; present support

contend
claim
suggest
defend
testify
assert
indicate
maintain
plead

demonstrate
appeal
explain
present
exhibit
attest
controvert
vindicate
imply

show
elucidate
evince
denote
reason
persuade
manifest
establish
hold

warrant
display
witness
justify
prevail upon
talk into

Antonyms

desert
surrender
deny
disclaim
renounce
conceal
hide
obscure

withhold
harmonize
ignore
comply
abstain
abandon
leave
confuse

cover
agree
stop
overlook
keep quiet
keep silent

Synonyms
verb insist, declare, maintain

contend
claim
stress
profess
uphold
affirm
defend
proclaim
say

press
argue
allege
cite
attest
predicate
avow
vindicate
advance

avouch
pronounce
state
protest
swear
aver
warrant
justify
butt in

horn in
mouth off
asservate
pop off
put forward
stand up for
shoot off one’s mouth
shoot one’s wad

Antonyms

desert
surrender
deny

conceal
hide
reject

abandon
leave
question

Synonyms
verb block, usually to protect

blockade
fortify

obstruct
defend

bar
shut in

Antonyms

allow

open

Synonyms
verb advocate, support

defend
promote
uphold
espouse
contend

battle
support
back
patronize
go to bat for

fight for
plead for
put in a good word for
ride shotgun for
side with

stand behind
stand up for
thump for

Antonyms

forsake

oppose

be against

Synonyms
verb care about deeply

preserve
love
defend
harbor
treasure
appreciate
honor
admire
encourage
entertain
embrace
adore

cultivate
safeguard
worship
revere
enshrine
shield
fancy
guard
hug
coddle
fondle
pet

support
comfort
foster
sustain
nurse
nourish
shelter
cosset
reverence
clasp
prize
like

venerate
value
idolize
nurture
dote on
cling to
care for
hold dear
apprize
cleave to
hold in high esteem

Antonyms

destroy
dislike
hate
scorn
disregard
ignore
disparage
dishonor
abhor

condemn
despise
detest
reject
release
deprive
denounce
forsake
renounce

hurt
neglect
disrespect
turn away
let go
starve
abandon
not care

Synonyms
verb demand, maintain property or right

hold
challenge
defend
insist
call for
assert
collect
need
take

ask
believe
allege
declare
knock
hit
uphold
vindicate
advance

require
pretend
pronounce
adduce
requisition
solicit
postulate
profess
exact

justify
pick up
pop the question
have dibs on something
hit up
hold out for
lay claim to
stake out

Antonyms

disbelieve
forsake
desert
deny
reject

repudiate
conceal
hide
disclaim
abandon

quit
stop
answer
give
question

Synonyms
verb argue

claim
urge
defend
charge
insist
assert
say
maintain
allege
tell
dispute
hold

vindicate
affirm
enjoin
prescribe
cross
rip
aver
mix
avow
dictate
report
blast

warrant
debate
zap
justify
come at
gang up on
lay into
take on
fly in face of
go at
have at
have bone to pick

jump on
lace into
let have it
light into
lock horns with
mix it up
put up argument
set to
sock it to one
stick it to

Antonyms

deny
desert
retreat
cede
give in

surrender
question
forget
divide
separate

abandon
give up
leave
unmix

Synonyms
verb fight

contend
defend
compete
vie
withstand
traverse
scuffle
wrangle
hassle
battle

row
tilt
scrap
sock
cross
attack
strike
conflict
brawl
struggle

buck
duel
rival
feud
repel
rumpus
quarrel
break with
gang up on
lay out

take on
altercate
fight over
knuckle with
lay a finger on
put on gloves
put up dukes
set to
square off

Antonyms

desert
surrender
concur
harmonize
aid
assist

resign
abandon
leave
yield
make peace
agree

help
support
allow
give up

Synonyms
verb protect, escort

shepherd
accompany
shield
attend
consort

chaperon
company
watch
bear
companion

bring
guard
usher
conduct
safeguard

defend
pilot

Antonyms

desert
endanger
ignore
disregard
harm

refuse
avoid
shun
abandon
leave

neglect
hurt
take
quit

Synonyms
verb protect, guard

fend
shield
bulwark

shelter
house
screen

reinforce
safeguard
defend

secure
watch over

Antonyms

surrender
endanger
uncover
harm
injure
unwrap

disregard
ignore
exclude
open
lay open
hurt

lay bare
lay out
reveal
abandon
forget
leave alone

Synonyms
verb support, authorize

sanction
affirm
okay
uphold
ratify
defend
advocate
back
commend
favor
confirm
praise

recommend
approve
underwrite
authenticate
champion
attest
boost
certify
countenance
bless
second
sustain

push
accredit
warrant
witness
guarantee
back up
go to bat for
vouch for
give a boost to
give green light
give the go-ahead
give the nod

go along with
go with
rubber-stamp
stand behind
stand up for
stump for
subscribe to
give one’s word
lend one’s name to

Antonyms

disapprove
refuse
veto
deny
reject
renounce

dissuade
censure
invalidate
protest
disagree
attack

criticize
oppose
discourage
halt
repel
unauthorize

Synonyms
verb stand up for; support

adopt
uphold
defend
advocate

maintain
embrace
approve
back

accept
champion
take on
take up

get into
go in for
stand behind

Antonyms

reject
desert
disallow

refuse
forsake
divorce

attack
disagree
oppose

Synonyms
verb forgive, absolve; justify

acquit
pardon
explain
indulge
tolerate
forgive
relieve
spare
exempt
condone
defend
exonerate

reprieve
exculpate
mitigate
whitewash
appease
alibi
vindicate
rationalize
extenuate
overlook
cover
free

purge
remit
discharge
release
pretext
shrive
liberate
clear
bear with
let off
pass over
shrug off

let go
apologize for
dispense from
exempt from
give absolution
grant amnesty
make allowances for
plead ignorance
take rap for
wink at

Antonyms

blame
censure
condemn
damn
sentence
punish
accuse

incite
prevent
restrain
limit
hurt
charge
aggravate

irritate
reveal
hold
keep
maintain

Synonyms
verb enclose or separate an area

encircle
protect
coop
bound
secure
immure

wall
girdle
defend
rail
pen
surround

corral
restrict
guard
fortify
circumscribe
mew

hedge
confine
cage
hem
mure

Antonyms

harm
injure
release
attack

hurt
set free
let go
loose

free
face
meet
uncoop

Synonyms
verb show support for

back up
defend
endorse

recommend
support
cover for

go to the wall for
stand behind
stand by

stand up for
stick up for

Synonyms
verb protect, watch

preserve
patrol
secure
oversee
defend
cover
keep
observe
escort
supervise

safeguard
shield
lookout
shepherd
mind
police
fend
attend
bulwark
chaperon

screen
chaperone
stonewall
tend
shelter
conduct
superintend
convoy
save
baby-sit

look after
shotgun
cover up
keep an eye on
keep in view
keep under surveillance
ride shotgun for
see after

Antonyms

ignore
endanger
harm
injure
desert
uncover

disregard
hurt
neglect
give up
lose
let go

abandon
leave
lay bare
forget

Synonyms
verb hide, protect

shelter
suppress
conceal
accommodate
nurture
safeguard
shield

defend
house
bunk
relieve
domicile
withhold
guard

entertain
board
lodge
nurse
quarter
screen
secrete

secure
hold back
put up
provide refuge

Antonyms

ignore
endanger
harm
injure
uncover
disregard

eject
turn away
neglect
hurt
lay open
lay bare

open
leave
let go
forget
reveal
let out

Synonyms
verb legitimize, substantiate

rationalize
vindicate
uphold
defend
support
advocate
confirm
favor
countenance
maintain
sustain
validate

condone
warrant
explain
contend
claim
square
alibi
palliate
pardon
crawl
verify
clear

legalize
absolve
exculpate
brief
assert
excuse
acquit
approve
plead
establish
rebut
exonerate

answer for
bear out
cop a plea
apologize for
argue for
be answerable for
do justice to
make allowances
make good
show cause
speak in favor
stand up for

Antonyms

desert
deny
refuse
reject
contradict
disapprove
veto
condemn

accuse
blame
damn
punish
disprove
invalidate
sentence
convict

incriminate
attack
neglect
oppose
disagree
charge

Synonyms
verb tend; provide for

protect
run
continue
support
manage
maintain
sustain
conduct
operate

feed
foster
nourish
shield
attend
subsidize
shelter
defend
mind

direct
ordain
administer
guard
command
board
nurture
safeguard
provision

endure
carry on
victual
care for
look after
minister to
watch over

Antonyms

cease
discontinue
ignore
deprive
endanger
disregard
deny
disperse

hand over
release
dishonor
halt
stop
neglect
starve
abandon

leave
forget
mismanage
consume
give
give up
let go
let happen

Synonyms
verb assert, claim; argue for

stress
uphold
defend
advocate
insist
say
emphasize
hold

declare
contend
attest
protest
right
champion
vindicate
affirm

rectify
back
report
state
asseverate
persist
aver
profess

allege
correct
avow
justify
fight for
plead for
stand by

Antonyms

desert
deny
forsake
conceal
repudiate

ignore
condemn
discard
abandon
attack

quit
forget
give up
leave
neglect

Synonyms
verb disguise

hide
shield
conceal
camouflage
obscure

veil
protect
screen
cover
cloak

guard
dissemble
front
dissimulate
safeguard

defend
secrete
beard
dress up
cover up

Antonyms

disclose
divulge
uncover
harm
injure
disregard
ignore

unmask
expose
lay bare
let out
open
reveal
show

tell
attack
hurt
lay open
abandon
forget

Synonyms
verb care for, maintain; continue

perpetuate
protect
save
secure
uphold
defend
freeze

keep
sustain
retain
safeguard
conserve
store
refrigerate

shield
shelter
season
mummify
evaporate
process
guard

cure
can
bottle
pickle
keep up
put up
mothball

Antonyms

harm
injure
endanger
squander
release
use
destroy

ruin
halt
stop
attack
hurt
waste
give up

lose
let go
abandon
neglect
spend
forget

Synonyms
verb convert, espouse

advocate
uphold
approve
defend

adopt
accept
persuade
embrace

convince
sway
alter conviction
be born again

cause to adopt
change belief
get into
stand behind

Antonyms

disallow
refuse
reject
deny

renounce
repudiate
attack
oppose

disagree
leave alone

Synonyms
verb take care of; guard from harm

preserve
safeguard
shield
shelter
defend
cover
insulate
conserve
assure
secure

cushion
save
support
keep
fend
champion
bulwark
harbor
screen
watch

stonewall
chaperon
foster
shade
hedge
go to bat for
sentinel
care for
look after
cover all bases

cover up
give refuge
give sanctuary
keep safe
ride shotgun for
shotgun
stand guard
take under wing
watch over

Antonyms

destroy
endanger
harm
injure
uncover
ignore

squander
release
hurt
lay bare
abandon
neglect

waste
give up
let go
open
attack

Synonyms
verb retaliate for wrong, grievance

get back at
vindicate
avenge
square
return
get
punish
fix
retort
reciprocate

repay
score
redress
requite
defend
match
justify
fight back
get even
kick back

be out for blood
even the score
give comeuppance
give just desserts
hit back
make reprisal
pay back
pay back in spades
pay off
return the compliment

settle up
settle with
stick it to
take an eye for an eye
turn the tables on
venge
fix one’s wagon

Antonyms

request
surrender
deny
refuse

forgive
pardon
sympathize
depart

leave
take
fail
lose

Synonyms
verb protect

preserve
insure
secure
defend
assure

ensure
conserve
shield
fend
bulwark

screen
cover
guard
save
ride shotgun

look after
watch over

Antonyms

destroy
endanger
uncover
disregard

ignore
harm
injure
hurt

reveal
forget
lay open

Synonyms
verb rescue

deliver
recover
salvage
free
ransom
spring

defend
extricate
redeem
liberate
emancipate
bail out

unchain
come to rescue
get off the hook
get out of hock
give a break
pull out of fire

set free
unshackle
save one’s neck

Antonyms

limit
restrain
confine
endanger
harm

squander
hold
lose
abandon
hurt

throw away
waste
leave open
make vulnerable

Synonyms
verb guard, protect

preserve
shield
maintain

sustain
conserve
defend

safeguard
screen
keep up

take care of
keep safe
look after

Antonyms

destroy
endanger
harm
squander

neglect
lay open
hurt
throw away

waste
leave open
make vulnerable

Synonyms
verb hide, protect

shield
blind
obstruct
secure
seclude
cover
umbrage
disguise
guard
close

fend
veil
defend
cache
cloak
camouflage
separate
shelter
adumbrate
shroud

shadow
safeguard
bury
bulwark
conceal
mask
stash
shutter
shade
ensconce

obscure
secrete
block out
shut out
cover up
shut off
wall off

Antonyms

endanger
harm
injure
uncover
disregard
ignore
unmask

surrender
loose
hurt
join
lay bare
reveal
abandon

forget
expose
open
show
tell
lay open

Synonyms
verb protect, make safe

insure
defend
assure

ensure
safeguard
guarantee

fend
shield
bulwark

screen
cover
guard

Antonyms

uncover
disregard
ignore
forfeit
loosen
endanger
harm

injure
lay bare
open
reveal
forget
give up
lose

let go
loose
unfasten
untie
hurt

Synonyms
verb provide safety, cover

protect
hide
shield
harbor
surround
lodge

take in
preserve
secure
defend
conceal
house

screen
cover
roof
chamber
guard
enclose

ward
safeguard
haven
take care of
cover up
watch over

Antonyms

uncover
endanger
harm
injure
disregard
ignore

lay bare
let out
open
hurt
let go
abandon

reveal
lay open
forget
turn away

Synonyms
verb protect

shelter
defend
cover
conceal
safeguard
fend
secure

bulwark
harbor
house
screen
roof
chamber
guard

stonewall
haven
go to bat for
ride shotgun
ward off
shotgun
cover all bases

cover up
give cover
give shelter
take under one’s wing

Antonyms

uncover
disregard
ignore

endanger
abandon
lay bare

reveal
open

Synonyms
verb keep up, maintain

preserve
bolster
help
defend
assist
continue
nurse
save
buoy
feed
befriend
buttress
supply

relieve
back
convey
carry
protract
transport
uphold
confirm
verify
support
comfort
prop
prolong

favor
foster
endorse
brace
nourish
ratify
lug
bear
bankroll
validate
tote
transfer
aid

nurture
approve
pack
go for
keep alive
keep from falling
keep going
lend a hand
provide for
shore up
stand by
stick up for

Antonyms

hinder
obstruct
harm
ignore
let down
weaken
injure
condemn
shorten
contradict
disprove
invalidate

veto
deny
refuse
reject
disapprove
deprive
discontinue
abstain
hurt
stop
starve
neglect

take
discourage
trouble
hold
keep
maintain
abbreviate
oppose
let go
disagree
halt

Synonyms
verb care for

feed
do
protect
manage
watch
maintain
cultivate
keep
control
shield
mind
direct

administer
guard
accomplish
sit
perform
defend
foster
nurse
shepherd
handle
attend
superintend

serve
supervise
safeguard
baby-sit
oversee
corral
cherish
nurture
do for
ride herd on
wait on
take care of

look after
cater to
keep an eye on
keep tabs on
minister to
see after
see to
take under wing
watch out for
watch over

Antonyms

destroy
harm
ignore
forsake
relinquish
renounce

resign
endanger
disregard
deny
refuse
fail

neglect
hurt
abandon
give up
forget
mismanage

Synonyms
verb maintain, support

vindicate
confirm
defend
advocate
encourage
endorse
promote
justify
bolster
champion
raise

buttress
hoist
brace
assist
countenance
back
upraise
prop
elevate
second
sustain

carry
aid
uplift
boost
rear
help
back up
pick up
take up
uprear
hold to

stand by
side with
buoy up
shore up
stick by
stick up for
upbear
hold up one’s end

Antonyms

deny
protest
hinder
obstruct
prevent
undermine
destroy
decrease

lessen
block
injure
weaken
oppose
attack
drop
lower

depress
stop
abandon
neglect
fall
hurt
discourage
halt

Synonyms
verb prove one’s innocence

acquit
uphold
prove
substantiate
defend
refute
absolve
corroborate
disprove
exonerate

justify
claim
shield
whitewash
guard
establish
contend
support
warrant
exculpate

advocate
free
assert
excuse
confute
rehabilitate
protect
rationalize
extenuate
second

maintain
argue
clear
bear out
disculpate
do justice to
free from blame
plead for

Antonyms

blame
condemn
convict
sentence
disprove
deny
prove

incriminate
ignore
destroy
ruin
desert
reject
accuse

punish
charge
forget
neglect
oppose
attack
hurt

Synonyms
verb guarantee, justify, authorize

uphold
affirm
require
necessitate
stipulate
explain
ensure
undertake
permit
approve
call for
claim
pledge

attest
back
vow
promise
sponsor
sanction
guaranty
contend
secure
defend
certify
commission
state

swear
entitle
endorse
privilege
underwrite
vindicate
empower
assert
excuse
demand
insure
license
assure

maintain
delegate
argue
declare
avouch
answer for
bear out
vouch for
give grounds for
stand behind
take an oath

Antonyms

deny
disallow
refuse
reject
disclaim
disavow
disapprove

desert
surrender
invalidate
retract
ignore
question
break

discourage
hurt
abandon
give up
leave
unauthorize

Synonyms
verb carry or possess firearm

defend

protect

carry arms