| exculpate(maintain, defend, justify) |
| vindicate(verb, maintain, defend, prove, justify) |
| argue(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| claim(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, justify) |
| confute(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| corroborate(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| disculpate(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| disprove(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| do justice to(expression, idiom, maintain, defend, uphold) |
| extenuate(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| guard(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| protect(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| rehabilitate(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| shield(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, refute) |
| warrant(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, justify) |
| absolve(maintain, defend, justify) |
| acquit(maintain, defend, justify) |
| advocate(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, justify) |
| assert(maintain, defend, uphold, prove, justify) |
| bear out(expression, maintain, defend, uphold, prove) |