defending the claims Synonym

observer, bystander, onlooker, spectator, eyewitness, viewer, beholder, watcher, testifier, deponent, attester, perceiver, looker-on, witnesser, seer [x]

specify, state, set forth, prescribe, demand, require, condition, designate, detail, outline, spell out, enumerate, insist, mandate, impose, dictate, ordain, decree, establish, provide, agree upon, contract, covenant, bargain, agree, settle, arrange, negotiate, determine, fix, agree to [x]

argument, dispute, fight, disagreement, altercation, squabble, clash, conflict, row, tiff, spat, bicker, wrangle, feud, contention, fracas, brawl, hassle, strife, discord, difference, falling-out, misunderstanding, confrontation, dissension, friction, melee, ruckus, scrap, set-to [x]

argument, dispute, quarrel, fight, clash, conflict, squabble, disagreement, row, tiff, fracas, brawl, wrangle, spat, confrontation, tussle, feud, hassle, contention, strife, melee, skirmish, blowup, run-in, set-to, dust-up, scrap, donnybrook, imbroglio, fray, ruckus, uproar, commotion, brouhaha, kerfuffle, contretemps, embroilment [x]

appeal, request, petition, entreaty, supplication, solicitation,oration, prayer, suit, cry, call, demand, application, begging, beseeching, urging, importuning, adjuration, invocation, solicitation [x]

reason, rationale, explanation, excuse, defense, argument, grounds, basis, validation, warrant, vindication, pretext, alibi plea, cause, account, motive, reasoning support, foundation, substantiation,, proof, evidence backing, endorsement, sanction authorization, legitimation, exoneration, absolution, exculpation, acquittal, amnesty, pardon, clearance, extenuation, mitigation, apology, clarification, elucidation, exposition, interpretation, explication, expounding, illumination, demonstration, illustration [x]

order, edict, mandate, proclamation, command, directive, ruling, regulation, ordinance, fiat, injunction, law, statute, dictum, ukase, precept, enactment, rescript, promulgation [x]

rules, guidelines, directives, standards, laws, ordinances, statutes, codes, decrees, mandates, policies, protocols, procedures, requirements, restrictions, controls, frameworks, bylaws, provisions, edicts, norms, conventions, stipulations, orders, commands, instructions, prescriptions, tenets, principles, criteria, measures, doctrines, regimens, formulas [x]

laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, acts, decrees, edicts, enactments, legislation, codes, bylaws, mandates, directives, provisions, measures, guidelines, policies, standards, norms, principles, precepts, requirements, stipulations, articles, clauses, sections, paragraphs, terms, conditions, rules of law, legal provisions, legal requirements, legal standards, legal norms, legal principles, legal precepts, legal stipulations, legal articles, legal clauses, legal sections, legal paragraphs, legal terms, legal conditions [x]

examples, instances, models, patterns, prototypes, standards, archetypes, benchmarks, exemplars, paradigms, antecedents, forerunners, precursors, templates, blueprints, guidelines, norms, touchstones, yardsticks, illustrations, case studies, exemplifications [x]

protect, guard, shield, secure, safeguard, uphold, support, vindicate, justify, advocate, champion, preserve, cover, fortify, back, maintain, assert, stand up, fight for, stand by, bolster, sustain, endorse, argue for, plead for, espouse, stick up for, take up for, bear out, hold up, conserve, save, shelter, watch over, fend off, ward off, repulse, resist, counter, oppose, contest, rebut, refute, parry, deflect, block, intercept, withstand, buffer [x]

doubtful, suspicious, questionable, uncertain, dubious, fishy, untrustworthy, shady, skeptical, wary, mistrustful, apprehensive, leery, unsure, hesitant, cautious, guarded, incredulous, disbelieving, unconvinced, problematic, unreliable, iffy, dodgy, unproven, unverified, unconfirmed, unsubstantiated, suspecting, distrustful [x]

law enforcement, patrolling, surveillance, monitoring, oversight, regulation, supervision, control, security, guarding, watch, inspection, enforcement, administration, governance, management, custodianship, protection, safeguarding, vigilance, scrutiny, watchfulness [x]

belief, certainty, confidence, assurance, faith, persuasion, sureness, certitude, dogma, principle, tenet, creed, opinion, view, sentiment, stance, position, attitude, judgment, conclusion, resolution, determination, decisiveness, firmness, steadfastness, resolve, trust, reliance, dependence, credence, acceptance, adherence, allegiance, loyalty, devotion, commitment, dedication, fervor, passion, zeal, enthusiasm, ardor, earnestness, sincerity, seriousness, gravity, solemnity [x]

referee, arbiter, adjudicator, magistrate, justice, jurist, umpire, evaluator, assessor, arbitrator, authority, official, moderator, examiner, inspector, appraiser, critic, reviewer, overseer, controller, decision-maker, fact-finder, lawgiver, chancellor, bench, court, tribunal [x]