defender

[d̪efẽn̪ˈd̪eɾ]

/[d̪efẽn̪ˈd̪eɾ]/ verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

The verdict

“defender” is a regularly-used Spanish word, ranked #1,894 in Spanish word frequency and used as a verb.

#1,894
frequency rank, Spanish
8
letters
12
tracked misspellings
17
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Mantener algo o alguien a salvo de un daño o perjuicio.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

defender vs depende
75% similar
defender vs detener
75% similar
defender vs defense
75% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for defender
PropertyValue
Headworddefender
LanguageSpanish
Part of speechVerb
IPA[d̪efẽn̪ˈd̪eɾ]
Letters8
Frequency rank#1,894
Misspellings tracked12
Confusable pairs17
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “defender” sits in Spanish frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). defender lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The Spanish entry for defender is 8 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as [d̪efẽn̪ˈd̪eɾ]. Corpus data places it at rank #1,894 in overall Spanish word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 8 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 12 likely wrong-spelling variants for defender, with forms such as "ddefender", "deefnder", and "defedner". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 17 confusable-pair relationships, "depende", "detener", "defense", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Wiktionary doesn't record an etymology for this headword, so its spelling is best read as a straightforward mapping from sound to letter. The correct Spanish form is defender, spelled D-E-F-E-N-D-E-R.

Definition

  1. 1
    Mantener algo o alguien a salvo de un daño o perjuicio.
  2. 2
    Por extensión, combatir a quienes atacan algo o buscan apropiarse de ello.
  3. 3
    Por extensión, alegar razones en favor de una idea, cosa o persona.
  4. 4
    En particular, defender₃ la causa del acusado.
  5. 5
    Evitar el avance de las tropas enemigas sobre una posición.
  6. 6
    Por extensión, evitar el avance del equipo o jugador rival.
  7. 7
    Disponer una autoridad que algo no se haga o suceda.
  8. 8
    Por extensión, causar que algo no se haga o suceda.

Synonyms

ampararguardarlibrarpreservarprotegerresguardarapoyarsostenersustentarprohibirproscribirvedarimpedirimposibilitarobstarvedar

Antonyms

atacar

This word in other languages

defend(English)défendre(Français)verteidigen(Deutsch)defender(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ddefender,deefnder,defedner,defendder,defenderr,defendre,defenedr,defennder,deffender,defneder,dfeender,edfender

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of defender - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

ddefender1deefnder2defedner2defendder1defenderr1defendre2defenedr2defennder1
Edit distance from "defender"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 Spanish corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "defender"?
"defender" is spelled D-E-F-E-N-D-E-R. The IPA pronunciation is [d̪efẽn̪ˈd̪eɾ].
What does "defender" mean?
As a verb, "defender" means: Mantener algo o alguien a salvo de un daño o perjuicio.
What words are commonly confused with "defender"?
"defender" is commonly confused with "depende", "detener", "defense". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "defender"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "defender" is [d̪efẽn̪ˈd̪eɾ]. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What language does "defender" come from?
"defender" is a Spanish word. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, and spelling data for this and other words across English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German on PlainSpell.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “defender”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct Spanish spelling is D-E-F-E-N-D-E-R - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as [d̪efẽn̪ˈd̪eɾ] (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “depende” - see the side-by-side comparison. defender vs depende
  • Browse more Spanish words and confusable pairs in the same reference. Spanish words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list