List of 426 Sets of Synonyms - How they Differ - Total of 2307 Words - 107

SYNONYMS: defend, protect, guard, preserve, shield, safeguard.
These verbs mean to make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm.

Defend implies the taking of measures to repel an attack: defending the island against invasion; tried to defend his reputation.
Protect often suggests providing a cover to repel discomfort, injury, or attack: bought a dog to protect the children from unfriendly strangers; wore sunglasses to protect my eyes; has to learn to protect herself.
Guard suggests keeping watch: police guarding the entrance to the embassy; guarded the house.
To preserve is to take measures to maintain something in safety: fighting to preserve freedom; Ecologists try to preserve our natural resources.
Shield suggests protection likened to a piece of defensive armor interposed between the threat and the threatened: His lawyers tried to shield him from the angry reporters.
Safeguard stresses protection against potential or less imminent danger and often implies preventive action: The Bill of Rights safeguards our individual liberties.