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
Everyone in America should know the names of the brave officers who gave their lives in defense of our society on Jan. 6, 2021.
—
Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
The White House, in defense of the executive order, sent NPR links to two New York Post articles citing allegations of cisgender women being assaulted by two prisoners who were trans.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025
His lawyers outlined arguments in defense of Yoon’s martial law declaration, saying it was meant to sound the alarm over abuses committed by the opposition Democratic Party.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025
And of the 24 cases actually prosecuted, only two were in defense of pregnancy care centers.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for in defense of (something or someone) 
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Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
The White House, in defense of the executive order, sent NPR links to two New York Post articles citing allegations of cisgender women being assaulted by two prisoners who were trans.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025
His lawyers outlined arguments in defense of Yoon’s martial law declaration, saying it was meant to sound the alarm over abuses committed by the opposition Democratic Party.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025
And of the 24 cases actually prosecuted, only two were in defense of pregnancy care centers.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for in defense of (something or someone)
Dictionary Entries Near 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 23 Feb. 2025.
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