The weak may speak or act in defense of the strong; none but the powerful can assure others of protection. A defense is ordinarily against actual attack; protection is against possible as well as actual dangers. We speak of defense against an assault, protection from the cold. Vindication is a triumphant defense of character and conduct against charges of error or wrong. Compare [APOLOGY].
Antonyms:
| abandonment, | betrayal, | capitulation, | desertion, | flight, | surrender. |
Prepositions:
Defense against assault or assailants; in law, defense to an action, from the testimony.
DEFILE.
Synonyms:
| befoul, | corrupt, | pollute, | spoil, | sully, | tarnish, |
| contaminate, | infect, | soil, | stain, | taint, | vitiate. |