2 syllables: de, fends. Stress on fends.
dif-ENDZ
/dɪˈfɛndz/
defends is pronounced dif-ENDZ (/dɪˈfɛndz/). It has two syllables (de-fends), with the stress on "fends". Defends is a verb meaning to protect or uphold something from attack or injury, or to justify or defend a claim or position. It typically appears in contexts like law, sports, or argument, where one argues in favor of a person, idea, or object. The form shown here is the third-person singular present tense or the base form when used with auxiliary verbs (defend vs defends).
Defends is a verb meaning to protect or uphold something from attack or injury, or to justify or defend a claim or position. It typically appears in contexts like law, sports, or argument, where one argues in favor of a person, idea, or object. The form shown here is the third-person singular present tense or the base form when used with auxiliary verbs (defend vs defends).
- You might overlook the stress on the second syllable, saying de-FENDS with a weak second syllable. Focus on delivering the stressed /ɛn/ clearly and not swallowing the ending. - The final /dz/ could become a simple /z/ or /d/ in rapid speech; practice crisp /nd/ before the /z/ and keep voicing. - People often merge /ɪ/ with /iː/ in the first syllable; keep the short /ɪ/ as in 'kit' to retain accurate rhythm. - In connected speech, you may drop the /d/ sound; ensure the alveolar stop is audible before the /z/.
"The lawyer defends the client in court."
"She defends her thesis against skeptical reviewers."
"The goalie defends the goal with quick reflexes."
Pronounce as /dɪˈfɛndz/. The first syllable is unstressed: di-, with a short, lax /ɪ/. The second syllable carries primary stress: FENDS, with the vowel /ɛ/ as in bed and a final /dz/ affricate sound. In connected speech, you’ll hear a quick /dz/ release: /dɪˈfɛn(d)z/. Mouth position: lips relaxed, tongue high for /ɪ/ then drop to /ɛ/ with jaw drop before /ndz/. Audio cue: think of 'defend' plus a voiced z ending.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress as de-FENDS or deFENDS with even stress; keep primary stress on the second syllable. 2) Slurring the /d/ into the /ɪ/ or treating /ndz/ as a simple /nz/; aim for a crisp /ndz/ cluster. 3) Mispronouncing the final /z/ as /s/ or /d/; ensure voice on /z/. Correction tips: practice with /dɪˈfɛn(d)z/ using slow repetition, exaggerate the /d/ then release into /z/, and do minimal pairs with defend to reinforce the final z-sound.
Across US/UK/AU, the core /dɪˈfɛn(d)z/ remains, but rhotics and vowel quality differ subtly. US and AU widely pronounce /ɪ/ as a clear short i; UK often keeps a slightly more centralized /ɪ/ in unstressed positions but the stressed /ɛ/ remains clear. The final /z/ is voiced in all three, but connected speech may reduce the preceding /d/ to a softer release in some US varieties. Practicing with exposure in each accent helps you align the exact vowel quality and link to following sounds.
The difficulty lies in the ending cluster /ndz/ after the stressed syllable, which requires precise tongue position to avoid a devoiced or nasalized ending. Additionally, the transition from the stressed /ɛn/ to /dz/ needs clean voicing and air release in a short window. For non-native speakers, maintaining correct vowel length in the first syllable and producing the voiced alveolar fricative + alveolar stop sequence can be tricky. Focus on the /nd/ timing and the sharp /z/ release.
A unique tip is to practice the exact sequence di-FENDS with a quick, controlled release between /n/ and /d/. Emphasize the stressed /ɛn/ vowel and ensure the /d/ is a hard, brief touch before the /z/. Use a tiny mouth opening for /ɪ/ in the first syllable and drop to a wider jaw for /ɛn/. Visualize the mouth as cycling through positions: /d/ with the tongue tip behind the upper teeth, then the /z/ with the tip close to the alveolar ridge.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "defends"!
- US: Pronounce with a clear /ɪ/ in the first syllable and a pronounced /ɛn/ in the stressed syllable; final /z/ remains voiced; occasional linking with following consonants may reduce the pause. - UK: Maintain sharper /d/ and a crisper /z/; /ɪ/ may be slightly tighter; keep non-rhotic rhythm in careful speech but this word remains unaffected by rhoticity per se. - AU: Similar to US, but expect slight vowel length adjustments and more rounded lip posture in some speakers; ensure the /ɛ/ stays distinct. Use IPA as a reference: /dɪˈfɛn(d)z/ for all. - General: maintain a tight but relaxed jaw and a light tongue tip for /d/ and /z/ to avoid liaisons that blur the end.
Defends comes from the verb defend, which derives from the Latin defendere, composed of de- (from, away) and fendere (to strike, beat, or ward off). The Latin fendere is related to fend, fence, and defenses. In Late Latin, defendere acquired the sense of warding off or protecting; Old French adapted it as defendre, meaning to ward off, protect, or to defend in a legal or military sense. English borrowed defend and its present tense forms in the Middle English period, solidifying the meaning of protecting or supporting against attack, accusation, or critique. The -s ending in defends reflects standard third-person singular present tense formation in English, marking an actor who performs the protection or justification action. Over centuries, the word expanded into metaphorical uses (defending a claim, defending a theory) while retaining its core sense of protection and justification. First known English attestations occur in the 14th–15th centuries, aligning with a growing legal and argumentative vocabulary that framed defense as both physical protection and rhetorical justification. The term has remained stable in modern usage, with frequency in legal, sports, political, and everyday contexts. The etymology underscores the connection between the act of warding off immediate danger and the more abstract defense of ideas or positions.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "defends" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "defends" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "defends" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "defends"
-nds sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
