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

Fine, who has been married to Ventura since 2019, was present during Ventura's testimony and issued a statement in defense of his wife after the trial wrapped up its first week. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Williams posted in 2019 in defense of Harris during the 2019 Democratic primary. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Others have come out in defense of the ad and mocked the online backlash, including politicians like Vice President JD Vance. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025

But has Barack Obama ever been willing to be uncomfortable in defense of his values? —Grace Curley, Boston Herald, 21 July 2025