oppose vs defend

oppose and defend both are verbs.

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

As verbs, oppose and defend are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of oppose include fight, fight back, fight down.

oppose (verb)	defend (verb)
be resistant to	argue or speak in defense of
be against; express opposition to	state or assert
set into opposition or rivalry	be on the defensive; act against an attack
fight against or resist strongly	protect against a challenge or attack
act against or in opposition to	protect or fight for as a champion
contrast with equal weight or force	fight against or resist strongly
	be the defense counsel for someone in a trial