defend
We will defend ourselves against these hurtful accusations.
The politician said that he would prioritize defending the nation against terrorism.
We defended ourselves against mosquitoes by spraying repellent everywhere.
Scientists were trying to learn how healthy lungs defend against asthma attacks.
They have been trained to defend against a threat that no longer exists.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Defending and protecting
air defence
anti-bug
anti-mosquito
baby
bandobast
cocoon
defensive
duck and coveridiom
embedded
featherbedding
fight back
foot patrol
hedge
insulate
poisonous
security light
self-protective
self-protectiveness
shelter
sheltered

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Backing, supporting & defending