defend

Synonyms: avert battle beat off bulwark care for cherish conserve contend cover entrench espouse fend off fight fight for fortify foster garrison guard guard against hedge hold hold at bay house insure keep safe look after maintain mine nourish oppose panoply preserve prevent provide sanctuary repel danger resist retain safeguard save screen secure shelter shield stave off sustain take in uphold war ward off watch watch over withstand

Antonyms: abandon attack desert leave quit relinquish resign surrender

Synonyms: advocate aid apologize for argue assert back back up bear one out befriend champion come to defense of cover for endorse espouse exculpate exonerate explain go to bat for guarantee justify maintain plead prove a case put in a good word rationalize recommend ride shotgun for say in defense second speak up for stand by stand up for stick up for stonewall support sustain thump for uphold vindicate warrant

Antonyms: deny forsake renounce