stick up for (?.)
- advocate
- allege in support
- answer
- argue for
- assert
- back
- back up
- champion
- contend for
- counter
- defend
- espouse
- get behind
- get in behind
- maintain
- make a plea
- plead for
- rebut
- refute
- reply
- respond
- riposte
- run interference for
- say in defense
- second
- side with
- speak for
- speak up for
- stand back of
- stand behind
- stand by
- stand up for
- stick by
- support
- sustain
- take sides with
- uphold
- urge reasons for