Defend
Defend verb - To drive danger or attack away from.
Usage example: a solemn oath to defend the mother country at any cost
Protect is a synonym for defend in activity topic. In some cases you can use "Protect" instead a verb "Defend", when it comes to topics like attack, prevent, guard. popular alternative
Protect
Protect verb - To drive danger or attack away from.
Usage example: the mother bear was just trying to protect her cubs
Defend is a synonym for protect in action topic. You can use "Defend" instead a verb "Protect", if it concerns topics such as attack, take care of, prevent, keep safe. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
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Due to Celica herself being a pacifist, she fights with Minerva, a doll similar to the ones used by Carl and Relius and designed by Kokonoe to defend and protect her.
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In probably the most famous example, Skynet of the Terminator franchise was initially told to defend and protect humanity, as well as being given a directive for self-preservation.
Source: A.I. Is a Crapshoot -
Klaus often bows down to Taki, and has expressed his desire to protect and defend the country with him.
Source: Manga / Maiden Rose
Cite this Source
Protect and Defend. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/defend/protect
Defend & Protect. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/defend/protect>.
Protect or Defend. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/defend/protect.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "defend" and "protect" have occurred on timeline