[Ads-l] "defend [NP]" to mean "defend against [NP]", inverting the meaning

[Stanton McCandlish]

Not the first time I've encountered this, but the first time very recently
outside of informal material (like social-media posts):

'Zelle spokesperson Jane Khodos told PYMNTS in a Dec. 20 statement that the
CFPB’s complaint was legally and factually flawed, that the timing of its
lawsuit appeared to be driven by political factors and that Zelle was
“fully prepared to defend this meritless lawsuit.'

— "Report: CFPB Drops Lawsuit Against Zelle Operator and Owner Banks";
*Pymnts*; 2025-03-04;
https://www.pymnts.com/news/cfpb/2025/report-cfpb-drops-lawsuit-against-zelle-operator-and-owner-banks/

I have not run across the original press release or other statement from
Zelle, so can't be sure that this wasn't simply a word-omission typo by
*Pymnts*, during transcription.

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