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
The 30-year-old, who was born in a refugee camp in Syria before going on to graduate from Columbia, had played a prominent role negotiating on behalf of pro-Palestinian protesters at the university.
—
Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
The suit, filed in the San Diego County Superior Court in March, seeks class action status on behalf of all Californians.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
Moscow is not alone in waging a shadow war against Western nations, although other powers focus more on cyberattacks: The US arrested a Chinese national Tuesday for allegedly stealing COVID-19 research and mass-hacking email servers on behalf of Beijing.
—semafor.com, 11 July 2025
Now, a class-action suit on behalf of children and parents impacted by Trump’s order will proceed.
—Philippa Pham Hughes, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for behalf
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Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
The suit, filed in the San Diego County Superior Court in March, seeks class action status on behalf of all Californians.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
Moscow is not alone in waging a shadow war against Western nations, although other powers focus more on cyberattacks: The US arrested a Chinese national Tuesday for allegedly stealing COVID-19 research and mass-hacking email servers on behalf of Beijing.
—semafor.com, 11 July 2025
Now, a class-action suit on behalf of children and parents impacted by Trump’s order will proceed.
—Philippa Pham Hughes, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for behalf
Cite this Entry
“Behalf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behalf. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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