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
Former two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes last fought for the promotion in June 2023, defeating Irene Aldana in defense of her UFC women’s bantamweight title.
—
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Immediately after Russia’s incursion in February 2022, many countries spoke out in defense of the prohibition against territorial conquest.
—Tanisha M. Fazal, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2025
The Justice Department attorney who unsuccessfully argued Friday in defense of the controversial and mistaken deportation of a Maryland man to El Salvador has been placed on administrative leave, CBS News learned Saturday.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2025
The organizations called on Congress to reject legislation that would undercut the judiciary's integrity and urges lawyers and judges to speak in defense of the legal system.
—April Rubin, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in defense of (something or someone)
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.
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Immediately after Russia’s incursion in February 2022, many countries spoke out in defense of the prohibition against territorial conquest.
—Tanisha M. Fazal, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2025
The Justice Department attorney who unsuccessfully argued Friday in defense of the controversial and mistaken deportation of a Maryland man to El Salvador has been placed on administrative leave, CBS News learned Saturday.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2025
The organizations called on Congress to reject legislation that would undercut the judiciary's integrity and urges lawyers and judges to speak in defense of the legal system.
—April Rubin, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share