How to say "defend" in Japanese

• 守るまもるJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe broadest of the three: defend in the general sense of protecting or guarding a person, place, or thing from danger or attack, as in defending one's country or guarding a castle.
  あなたは、自分じぶんの家族かぞくを守まもらなければならない。↗

  You have to protect your family.
• かばうCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbDefends a person by shielding them: stepping in to protect someone from harm or blame, or covering for them, as when a parent shields a child or an employee covers for a colleague.
  世間せけんの非難ひなんから僕ぼくをかばってくれませんか。↗

  Will you screen me from public censure?
• 支えるささえるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbReally means support rather than defend: propping something up or sustaining a person, family, or organization. Seldom the word you want for defend; use 守る or かばう for that.
  このくらいの収穫量しゅうかくりょうでは、そこの経済けいざいを支ささえるのに十分じゅうぶんではありません。↗

  That amount of crops isn't enough to support their economy.

Use 「守る」 for the general sense of defending or guarding someone or something from danger, 「かばう」 for shielding or standing up for a particular person, and treat 「支える」 as support rather than defend.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 守るまもるto protect
• かばうto protect (someone)
• 支えるささえるto support