defending

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "defending" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts such as when you want to describe someone protecting a person or property, protecting someone from danger or harm, or making a case or argument to support something or refute an opposing argument. For example, "The attorney was defending his client in court against the criminal charges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An Oxford University spokesperson said: "The university is robustly defending this application on all grounds and Ms Ramey's application has already been refused permission on the papers.

The Guardian

"Do you not have a heavy burden of justification to show authorisation under the constitution?" he asked the US solicitor-general, Donald Verrilli, who was defending the law.

The Guardian

Charlie ridiculed my faith and culture and I died defending his right to do so".

The Economist

Fortunately, the Bloomberg Foundation agreed to cover the costs of defending Uruguay.

The Guardian

Li's retirement from tennis may have robbed Melbourne of a defending champion but it has given Kvitova a boost that could yet see her add to her two Wimbledon titles over the next fortnight.

The Guardian - Sport

Orbán has already expressed his sympathy for "capitalism with Asian values"; if the European pressure on Orbán continues, we can easily imagine him sending a message to the east: 'We are defending Asia here!' Today's anti-immigrant populism has replaced direct barbarism with a barbarism that has a human face.

The Guardian

The HDP ran on a platform defending the rights of ethnic minorities, women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The Guardian

The spray, which proved a success at World Cup 2014 in Brazil during the summer, is used to mark the distance between the ball and the defensive wall, making it harder for the defending side to encroach.

The Guardian - Sport

BP says it is vigorously defending the case, arguing that it took significant steps to compensate farmers for laying the pipeline on their land and to ensure that no harm was caused.

The Guardian

"We worked hard defensively and defending is a big part of football.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite the impressive finishing, the game lacked finesse for long spells and McCormack almost capitalised on slack Wigan defending for a second time after latching on to a cross-field pass from Michael Turner, only for the striker to be halted by a desperate last-ditch slide from Emmerson Boyce.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuances between "defending" and similar terms like "protecting" or "advocating". "Defending" often implies responding to an existing challenge or threat, while "protecting" can be more proactive.

Common error

Avoid using "defending" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor doing the defending. Instead of saying "The policy is being defended", specify who is "defending" the policy for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defending" is as a present participle or gerund, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as a verbal noun. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it can describe someone protecting something or supporting a position.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "defending" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, denoting actions of protection, support, or justification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. Occurring frequently in news, sports, and formal business contexts, its register remains neutral. Related terms like "protecting", "guarding", and "upholding" offer nuanced alternatives, each emphasizing different aspects of safeguarding. To use "defending" effectively, ensure clarity by specifying what is being defended and avoiding passive constructions. Ultimately, "defending" serves as a robust term across diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protecting

Emphasizes shielding from harm or danger.

guarding

Focuses on preventing access or attack.

shielding

Highlights providing a barrier or cover.

upholding

Implies maintaining or supporting a principle or law.

supporting

Indicates providing assistance or endorsement.

advocating

Suggests actively promoting or arguing for something.

justifying

Focuses on providing reasons or evidence to support something.

maintaining

Emphasizes keeping something in its current state or condition.

preserving

Highlights protecting something from decay or destruction.

safeguarding

Implies taking measures to ensure safety or security.

FAQs

How can I use "defending" in a sentence?

You can use "defending" to describe the act of protecting someone or something, such as "The lawyer was "defending his client" in court" or "The soldiers were "defending their country"".

What are some alternatives to the word "defending"?

Alternatives to "defending" include "protecting", "guarding", "shielding", "upholding", and "supporting", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "defending" and "protecting"?

"Defending" often implies responding to a challenge or threat, while "protecting" can be more proactive and preventative. For example, you might "defend a lawsuit" but "protect your assets".

Is it correct to say "defending for" instead of "defending"?

While you can use "defending" on its own, adding "for" can clarify who or what is benefiting from the defense. For example, "He is "defending the team"" is correct, and "He is "defending for the team"" can emphasize that he is acting on their behalf.