recalcitrate vs defend

recalcitrate and defend both are verbs.

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

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

recalcitrate: show strong objection or repugnance; manifest vigorous opposition or resistance; be obstinately disobedient
defend: fight against or resist strongly

Other hypernyms of recalcitrate include fight, fight back, fight down, oppose.

recalcitrate (verb)	defend (verb)
show strong objection or repugnance; manifest vigorous opposition or resistance; be obstinately disobedient	argue or speak in defense of
	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