protect vs defend

protect and defend both are verbs.

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

As verbs, defend is a hypernym of protect; that is, defend is a word with a broader meaning than protect:

As verbs, defend is a hyponym of protect; that is, defend is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than protect:

protect (verb)	defend (verb)
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage	argue or speak in defense of
use tariffs to favor domestic industry	state or assert
	be on the defensive; act against an attack
	protect against a challenge or attack
	protect or fight for as a champion
	fight against or resist strongly
	be the defense counsel for someone in a trial