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
But Thursday’s hearing struck me as a good opportunity to watch one of the signature events in Trump’s Washington—a government lawyer embarrassing himself in defense of an almost laughably indefensible case.
—
Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
His commitment to America's European allies is shaky at best, and nobody in their right minds still believes that Trump would endanger New York or Washington to attack—let alone to nuke—Moscow or Saint Petersburg in defense of Warsaw or Paris.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
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
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.
Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
His commitment to America's European allies is shaky at best, and nobody in their right minds still believes that Trump would endanger New York or Washington to attack—let alone to nuke—Moscow or Saint Petersburg in defense of Warsaw or Paris.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
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
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 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share