S: (v) prevent, keep (stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state) "We must prevent the cancer from spreading"; "His snoring kept me from falling asleep"; "Keep the child from eating the marbles"
S: (v) defend (be on the defensive; act against an attack)
S: (v) exclude, keep out, shut out, shut (prevent from entering; shut out) "The trees were shutting out all sunlight"; "This policy excludes people who have a criminal record from entering the country"
S: (v) restrict (prevent (information) from being circulated or disclosed)
S: (v) hold (keep from departing) "Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse"
W: (v) attack [Opposed to: defend] (launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with) "Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II"; "Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week"
S: (v) defend, guard, hold (protect against a challenge or attack) "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"