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
Nate Schmidt took on Domi in defense of his teammate, and the pair earned fighting majors.
—
Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
LeBron James had a viral confrontation with Stephen A. Smith last week in defense of his son, and since then, a plethora of sports fans, pundits, and fellow players weighed in with their takes.
—Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Steven Levitsky, professor of government at Harvard University, hopes the disorienting experience of officials’ commitment to free speech depending on who is in power will encourage people to rally in defense of the First Amendment.
—Andy Rose, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
But Hackett said Democrats’ main concern shouldn’t be the political effects but rather taking a moral stand in defense of free speech and civil rights.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in defense of (something or someone)
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Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
LeBron James had a viral confrontation with Stephen A. Smith last week in defense of his son, and since then, a plethora of sports fans, pundits, and fellow players weighed in with their takes.
—Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Steven Levitsky, professor of government at Harvard University, hopes the disorienting experience of officials’ commitment to free speech depending on who is in power will encourage people to rally in defense of the First Amendment.
—Andy Rose, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
But Hackett said Democrats’ main concern shouldn’t be the political effects but rather taking a moral stand in defense of free speech and civil rights.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 12 Mar. 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 25 Mar. 2025.
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