see also:
On Behalf of vs. in Behalf of: Usage Guide
A body of opinion favors in with the "interest, benefit" sense of behalf and on with the "support, defense" sense. This distinction has been observed by some writers but overall has never had a sound basis in actual usage. In current British use, on behalf (of) has replaced in behalf (of); both are still used in American English, but the distinction is frequently not observed.
Examples of behalf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday for a new round of negotiations on behalf of the United States.
—
Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
The Supreme Court has sent legislative redistricting cases filed on behalf of Black voters in Mississippi and Native Americans in North Dakota back to lower courts for further consideration in light of its Louisiana decision.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Days later, the ruling party accused him of sabotaging the project on behalf of China and George Soros, echoing widespread antisemitic conspiracy theories that the billionaire Jewish philanthropist seeks to subvert popular rule.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 7 June 2026
Additionally, Reitman, Kenan and Jay Levine, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer & Business Operations of Sony Pictures presented a $150,000 match donation check on behalf of Sony to Starlight Children’s Foundation, for a grand total of $666,000.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for behalf
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
The Supreme Court has sent legislative redistricting cases filed on behalf of Black voters in Mississippi and Native Americans in North Dakota back to lower courts for further consideration in light of its Louisiana decision.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Days later, the ruling party accused him of sabotaging the project on behalf of China and George Soros, echoing widespread antisemitic conspiracy theories that the billionaire Jewish philanthropist seeks to subvert popular rule.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 7 June 2026
Additionally, Reitman, Kenan and Jay Levine, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer & Business Operations of Sony Pictures presented a $150,000 match donation check on behalf of Sony to Starlight Children’s Foundation, for a grand total of $666,000.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for behalf
Cite this Entry
“Behalf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behalf. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
