defend vs maintain

defend and maintain both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
defend	No	No	Yes	No
maintain	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, defend and maintain are synonyms defined as:

defend (verb)	maintain (verb)
argue or speak in defense of	stick to correctly or closely
state or assert	state categorically
be on the defensive; act against an attack	state or assert
protect against a challenge or attack	support against an opponent
protect or fight for as a champion	maintain by writing regular records
fight against or resist strongly	supply with necessities and support
be the defense counsel for someone in a trial	keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction
	have and exercise
	maintain for use and service
	cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity