defend

[1]	protect , support , fend for , watch over , guard , safeguard , keep (safe) , shelter , shield , screen , preserve , fight for
[2]	fortify , arm , secure , fend/ward off , parry
[3]	plead for , guard , hold , speak/stand up for , stick up for , go to bat for , support , uphold , stand by , champion , stand with/behind/beside , argue for/in behalf of , hold a brief for , espouse
[4]	fight , oppose , fight back , fight down
[5]	champion
[6]	represent
[7]	maintain