The newspaper's editor defended his decision to publish the photos.

defended 是动词 defend 的过去式，defend 由前缀 de-（表示"向下、完全"）和词根 fend（来自拉丁语 fendere，意为"击打、防御"）组成，本义是"完全防护"，引申为"为...辩护、捍卫"的意思。