On Behalf of vs. in Behalf of: Usage Guide
A body of opinion favors in with the "interest, benefit" sense of behalf and on with the "support, defense" sense. This distinction has been observed by some writers but overall has never had a sound basis in actual usage. In current British use, on behalf (of) has replaced in behalf (of); both are still used in American English, but the distinction is frequently not observed.
Examples of behalf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sean Boyle is overseeing the project on behalf of Roku
The doc also features appearances from Pete Alonso, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Albert Pujols, Chris Berman, and Bob Costas.
—
Peter White, Deadline, 17 June 2025
Wohlwend, smiling at times from the courtroom well, was among the staffers who restrained Max face down for nearly two hours in November 2018 after the boy spat at another classmate, according to a lawsuit filed on behalf of Max’s family following his death.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025
Key Facts The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the 60-day intent to sue on behalf of the NAACP on Tuesday, alleging the company violated the Clean Air Act in Memphis over the past year, according to the notice of intent to sue cited on the SELC’s website.
—Yezen Saadah, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Sobel filed a similar action in the wake of the LAPD’s response to the 2020 protests on behalf of Black Lives Matter-L.A. and others who contended that LAPD caused scores of injuries by firing hard-foam projectiles.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
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Peter White, Deadline, 17 June 2025
Wohlwend, smiling at times from the courtroom well, was among the staffers who restrained Max face down for nearly two hours in November 2018 after the boy spat at another classmate, according to a lawsuit filed on behalf of Max’s family following his death.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025
Key Facts The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the 60-day intent to sue on behalf of the NAACP on Tuesday, alleging the company violated the Clean Air Act in Memphis over the past year, according to the notice of intent to sue cited on the SELC’s website.
—Yezen Saadah, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Sobel filed a similar action in the wake of the LAPD’s response to the 2020 protests on behalf of Black Lives Matter-L.A. and others who contended that LAPD caused scores of injuries by firing hard-foam projectiles.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for behalf
Cite this Entry
“Behalf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behalf. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
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