defend the title

USAGE SUMMARY

"defend the title" is correct and usable in written English.
In formal writing, it can be used to refer to defending a particular opinion or argument. For example, "The scholars dedicated the entire section of their paper to defending the title of the book that they were discussing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Can you defend the title for the first time?

The New York Times - Sports

And I'm equally pleased to defend the title at home.

The New York Times - Sports

His fellow South African Ernie Els will defend the title.

The Guardian - Sport

Last year, he failed to defend the title, finishing in the lower half of the field.

The New York Times

I'm 53 this year but I'm coming back to defend the title".

Independent

Is Andy Murray able to defend the title that altered his professional career?

The New York Times

Leslie, 30, seems excited about the chance to defend the title in such a marquee matchup.

The New York Times - Sports

"Let's say Andy doesn't have a great Wimbledon, or doesn't defend the title," Petchey said.

The Guardian - Sport

Nevertheless, Gavilan went on to defend the title another five times.

The Guardian

"I vowed to do everything I could to defend the title for him.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Karpov, a Soviet player, had become world champion after Mr. Fischer refused to defend the title in 1975.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defend the title" to clearly convey the idea of protecting a previously achieved honor or victory.

Common error

Don't use "defend the title" when referring to initial attempts to win a title. This phrase is specifically for maintaining an existing one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defend the title" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of protecting a previously won championship or position. It’s frequently used in sports and competitive contexts, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defend the title" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of protecting a previously won championship or position. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. When writing, use this phrase to highlight efforts to maintain a leading position, but avoid using it for initial attempts to win a title. Related phrases include "retain the title" and "protect the championship", offering nuanced alternatives. The phrase’s neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of formal and informal writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Retain the title

Focuses on keeping the title, emphasizing the continuation of possession.

Protect the championship

Highlights the act of safeguarding a championship, often in sports contexts.

Uphold the crown

Emphasizes the responsibility of maintaining a position of power or authority.

Preserve the victory

Focuses on ensuring that a past victory is not diminished or overturned.

Maintain the lead

Highlights the effort to stay ahead in a competition or ranking.

Guard the position

Emphasizes the act of protecting one's rank or standing.

Secure the win

Focuses on guaranteeing a victory, often against challenges.

Conserve the title

Highlights making efforts to prevent the title from being lost.

Hold onto the title

Emphasizes the act of keeping something in one's possession.

Fight to keep the title

Highlights the struggle and effort involved in maintaining the title.

FAQs

How can I use "defend the title" in a sentence?

You can use "defend the title" to describe someone or a team trying to maintain their championship, for example, "The team is preparing to "defend the title" against strong competitors".

What are some alternatives to "defend the title"?

Alternatives include "retain the title", "protect the championship", or "uphold the crown", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "defend the title" in formal writing?

Yes, "defend the title" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly when discussing sports, competitions, or positions of authority.

What's the difference between "defend the title" and "compete for the title"?

"Defend the title" implies already holding the title and trying to keep it, while "compete for the title" refers to an initial attempt to win the title.