défendre

Definitions of défendre
  1. verb
    avert, turn away, or repel
    synonyms: défendre contre
  2. verb
    protect against a challenge or attack
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    type of:
    protéger
    shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
  3. verb
    stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals
    synonyms: lutter pour
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    type of:
    appuyer
    argue or speak in defense of
  4. verb
    protect or fight for as a champion
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    type of:
    soutenir
    be behind; approve of
  5. verb
    prohibit especially by legal means or social pressure
    synonyms: interdire
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    type of:
    interdire
    command against
  6. verb
    argue or speak in defense of
    synonyms: appuyer
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    types:
    s'excuser
    defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
    lutter pour
    stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals
    atténuer, pallier
    lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
    type of:
    argumenter
    present reasons and arguments
  7. verb
    be loyal to
    synonyms: soutenir, être attaché à
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    type of:
    être
    have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
  8. verb
    be on the defensive; act against an attack
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    antonyms:
    assaillir, attaquer
    launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
    agresser, attaquer
    take the initiative and go on the offensive
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    types:
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    protéger
    shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
    défendre contre
    avert, turn away, or repel
    arrêter, contenir, stoper
    hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
    faire sortir
    intercept (a player)
    couvrir
    hold within range of an aimed firearm
    garder
    watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect
    protéger
    protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm
    clôturer, entourer de murs, palissader
    surround with a wall in order to fortify
    sauver
    make safe
    couvrir
    protect or defend (a position in a game)
    garder, préserver
    maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger
    type of:
    empêcher, prévenir
    stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state
  9. verb
    command against
    synonyms: interdire
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    antonyms:
    autoriser, permettre
    consent to, give permission
    donner, permettre
    let have
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    types:
    show 4 types...
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    interdire
    prohibit especially by legal means or social pressure
    exclure
    prevent from entering; keep out
    proscrire
    declare illegal; outlaw
    censurer
    forbid the public distribution of ( a movie or a newspaper)
    type of:
    obliger, ordonner
    make someone do something
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘défendre'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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