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
Most comments came from Fort Worth ISD students speaking out against book banning and in defense of voices and representations of the LGBTQ community and people of color.
—
Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2024
Last year, a review by the Justice Department found that the FBI’s compliance rate hovered around 98 percent, a figure that Wray and other FBI officials have touted frequently in defense of the program.
—Dell Cameron and William Turton, WIRED, 8 May 2024
On May 2, Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche argued that Trump is still speaking out in self-defense and also in defense of his run for president.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 6 May 2024
Amid death threats and hateful comments, Raven-Symoné is speaking out in defense of her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 5 May 2024
Earlier this year at the 2024 Grammy Awards, JAY-Z was honored with the 2nd annual Dr. Dre Global Impact Award — in recognition of his musical legacy — and used his acceptance speech to call out the organization that honored him in defense of his wife.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
The Arab media, which had been badly fragmented and politically polarized during the previous decade’s intraregional political wars, has largely reunited in defense of Gaza.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
After all, Metro has been promoting both projects with the notion of picking a side, making Cole’s decision to collaborate with him and Future (mere days after ostensibly standing in defense of himself and Drizzy) either an unforced error or an act of war.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024
Amid growing protectionism and authoritarianism around the globe, our government must stand firm in defense of those values and interests.
—Ed Brzytwa, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2024
Last year, a review by the Justice Department found that the FBI’s compliance rate hovered around 98 percent, a figure that Wray and other FBI officials have touted frequently in defense of the program.
—Dell Cameron and William Turton, WIRED, 8 May 2024
On May 2, Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche argued that Trump is still speaking out in self-defense and also in defense of his run for president.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 6 May 2024
Amid death threats and hateful comments, Raven-Symoné is speaking out in defense of her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 5 May 2024
Earlier this year at the 2024 Grammy Awards, JAY-Z was honored with the 2nd annual Dr. Dre Global Impact Award — in recognition of his musical legacy — and used his acceptance speech to call out the organization that honored him in defense of his wife.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
The Arab media, which had been badly fragmented and politically polarized during the previous decade’s intraregional political wars, has largely reunited in defense of Gaza.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
After all, Metro has been promoting both projects with the notion of picking a side, making Cole’s decision to collaborate with him and Future (mere days after ostensibly standing in defense of himself and Drizzy) either an unforced error or an act of war.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024
Amid growing protectionism and authoritarianism around the globe, our government must stand firm in defense of those values and interests.
—Ed Brzytwa, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in defense of (something or someone).' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 17 May. 2024.
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