defend against

USAGE SUMMARY

"defend against" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about taking action to protect someone or something from something else. For example, "The townspeople worked together to defend against the advancing army."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will vigorously defend against it".

The New York Times

"To defend against what?" asks Mr Cardoso.

The Economist

How can you defend against such attacks?

Cornell University

"It's our responsibility to defend against it".

The New York Times

How could you defend against it?

The Guardian

Can you actually defend against getting hacked?

Harvard Business Review

Microbes evolved CRISPR to defend against viruses.

The Washington Post

Companies must defend against competitive compromise.

Harvard Business Review

How do you defend against that?

Harvard Business Review

"Nurses also defend against medical errors.

The New York Times

So, how to defend against these dangers?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defend against", clearly identify both the entity being protected and the threat being defended against for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "defend against" vaguely. Always specify what is being defended and what it's being defended against. For example, instead of saying "We need to defend against threats", specify "We need to defend our network against cyber threats."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defend against" is a phrasal verb. It combines the action of defending with a preposition that specifies the target of the defense. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defend against" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe protective actions against threats. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When using "defend against", ensure you clearly specify both the entity being protected and the source of the threat. Alternatives like "protect from" and "guard against" offer similar meanings, but "defend against" often carries a stronger connotation of resistance or proactive measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protect from

Focuses on shielding something from harm, emphasizing the protective aspect.

guard against

Highlights vigilance and preventative measures in protecting against a threat.

shield from

Emphasizes a barrier or buffer that prevents harm.

resist

Focuses on actively opposing or withstanding something.

counter

Suggests a direct action to negate or neutralize an attack or threat.

withstand

Implies enduring or surviving a difficult or harmful force.

repel

Suggests forcing something away or back, often an invading force.

fortify against

Highlights strengthening or reinforcing defenses in anticipation of a threat.

secure from

Focuses on making something safe and protected from danger.

fight off

Suggests actively battling or struggling to overcome a threat.

FAQs

How can I use "defend against" in a sentence?

Use "defend against" to describe actions taken to protect something from a potential threat. For example, "The castle was built to "defend against" invaders" or "Antivirus software helps "defend against" malware."

What are some alternatives to "defend against"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "protect from", "guard against", or "shield from" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "defend from" or "defend against"?

"Defend against" is generally preferred because it clearly indicates a proactive measure taken to resist an attack or threat, while "defend from" is less common. Although both can be used, in the majority of contexts, ""defend against"" is better.

What is the difference between "defend against" and "counter"?

"Defend against" implies protecting something from an oncoming threat, while "counter" suggests directly opposing or neutralizing an existing action or argument.