Defending

Synonyms for defend
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 defending

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