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

On Tuesday, as Trump ramped up his rhetoric against Iran, Vance issued a lengthy personal appeal in defense of the president's decision-making process on X, formerly Twitter. —Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

Reginae Carter continues to stand firmly in defense of her father, Lil Wayne, amid recent criticism of his latest album. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 16 June 2025

The point is that these brave men fought and many died in defense of our nation and the world. —Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025

And Huda, in defense of Amaya, says Ace is the Islander secretly hoping someone better comes along. —Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 June 2025