on behalf of someone
idiom
variants
or on someone's behalf
1
: as a representative of someone
The teacher accepted the award on behalf of the whole class.
2
or US in behalf of someone
or in someone's behalf
: for the benefit of someone : in support of someone
She spoke in behalf of the other candidate.
They're willing to do anything on their child's behalf.
3
: because of someone
Don't get up on my behalf.
Examples of on behalf of someone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By setting up permissions in advance, the agent (individual with the power to act on behalf of someone else) can step in immediately if the account owner is incapacitated.
—
Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Financial barriers keep caregivers from seeking mental health help
Caregivers often call the 988 helpline on behalf of someone else, such as a mother calling to get resources for her child, according to Farmer.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 29 July 2025
Legal experts have previously told the Idaho Statesman that a vicarious privacy claim on behalf of someone’s relatives is not a potential path for a defendant in a criminal case.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Jan. 2025
In the typical case, a fiduciary is the party charged with managing money or property on behalf of someone else.
—Nick Dedeke, Ars Technica, 28 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for on behalf of someone
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Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Financial barriers keep caregivers from seeking mental health help
Caregivers often call the 988 helpline on behalf of someone else, such as a mother calling to get resources for her child, according to Farmer.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 29 July 2025
Legal experts have previously told the Idaho Statesman that a vicarious privacy claim on behalf of someone’s relatives is not a potential path for a defendant in a criminal case.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Jan. 2025
In the typical case, a fiduciary is the party charged with managing money or property on behalf of someone else.
—Nick Dedeke, Ars Technica, 28 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for on behalf of someone
Cite this Entry
“On behalf of someone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20behalf%20of%20someone. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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