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

Hinchcliffe's remarks, which also included offensive jokes about Black people and Latinos, were met with swift backlash, with several celebrities coming out in defense of Puerto Rico, Latinos in the U.S. and voicing their support for Harris' plan for the island. —Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2024

Earlier this month, Small Combs issued her own statement in defense of her son. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024

Janice Combs, mother of public enemy No. 1 Diddy, recently spoke out in defense of her son and the many allegations against him. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 7 Oct. 2024

On Sunday, Winston gave a lengthy and passionate statement in defense of Watson. —Jill Martin, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024