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
What had the togetherness of locked hands accomplished in defense of Mother Earth?
—
Christopher Ketcham, Harper's Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023
Prior to the decision, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis submitted letters in defense of Masterson’s character.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023
Hitler gained power in part because the German state no longer could maintain its monopoly on violence in defense of democratic values.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 30 Oct. 2023
At Hilbert’s sentencing hearing Friday, McGaff’s parents, James Smith and Angela McGaff, pushed back against the notion that Hilbert was acting in defense of the female passenger.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2023
Why not flail around in defense of my all-American single proprietorship?
—William T. Vollmann, Harper's Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023
No other council member has publicly spoken out in defense of Price.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2023
So, there have been a lot of arguments put forward in defense of Cop City and the development in general.
—The Politics Of Everything, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2023
Tensions grew further after Olivia accused Kim of using her husband’s credit card in a confessional in season 4, which prompted Moriah, Micah, Lydia and Isaac to release a joint statement in defense of their mother.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 3 Oct. 2023
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Christopher Ketcham, Harper's Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023
Prior to the decision, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis submitted letters in defense of Masterson’s character.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023
Hitler gained power in part because the German state no longer could maintain its monopoly on violence in defense of democratic values.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 30 Oct. 2023
At Hilbert’s sentencing hearing Friday, McGaff’s parents, James Smith and Angela McGaff, pushed back against the notion that Hilbert was acting in defense of the female passenger.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2023
Why not flail around in defense of my all-American single proprietorship?
—William T. Vollmann, Harper's Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023
No other council member has publicly spoken out in defense of Price.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2023
So, there have been a lot of arguments put forward in defense of Cop City and the development in general.
—The Politics Of Everything, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2023
Tensions grew further after Olivia accused Kim of using her husband’s credit card in a confessional in season 4, which prompted Moriah, Micah, Lydia and Isaac to release a joint statement in defense of their mother.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 3 Oct. 2023
See More
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 9 Dec. 2023.
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