in defense of (something or someone)
idiom
variants
or in something's or someone's defense
1
: in order to keep (something) safe that is being physically attacked
They fought in defense of their country.
2
: in support of (someone or something) that is being verbally attacked or criticized
She spoke out in defense of justice.
Let me say, in her defense, that I would have done the same thing that she did.
He spoke up in his own defense.
Examples of in defense of (something or someone) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The group, which has survived years of sustained bombardment by both Saudi and Emirati forces, previously warned Gulf countries of engaging in military campaigns alongside the U.S. or in defense of Israel.
—
Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Rittenhouse, Penny and Zimmerman were cleared of wrongdoing or legally found to have acted in self-defense or in defense of others — Penny and Zimmerman after the death of a Black victim and Rittenhouse after fatally shooting two white protesters at a racial justice demonstration against police.
—Terry Tang, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Others who have likewise gone on the record in defense of DEI: Coca-Cola, Costco, Delta Airlines, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft (also valued at more than $3 trillion), Patagonia, and Ben & Jerry’s.
—Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The American Petroleum Institute filed an amicus brief in defense of the EPA.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in defense of (something or someone)
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Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Rittenhouse, Penny and Zimmerman were cleared of wrongdoing or legally found to have acted in self-defense or in defense of others — Penny and Zimmerman after the death of a Black victim and Rittenhouse after fatally shooting two white protesters at a racial justice demonstration against police.
—Terry Tang, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Others who have likewise gone on the record in defense of DEI: Coca-Cola, Costco, Delta Airlines, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft (also valued at more than $3 trillion), Patagonia, and Ben & Jerry’s.
—Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The American Petroleum Institute filed an amicus brief in defense of the EPA.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in defense of (something or someone)
Cite this Entry
“In defense of (something or someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20defense%20of%20%28something%20or%20someone%29. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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