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
Image Syrian Christians protested in defense of the rights of Christians on Christmas Eve, after a Christmas tree was set ablaze in the Christian-majority town.
—
Keith Bedford, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Witkoff has remained close to Trump for decades, testifying as an expert witness at his New York civil fraud trial in defense of the former president, and golfing with Trump during his second assassination attempt in September.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2024
His mother fears that Makysym and his older brother will one day have to take up arms in defense of Ukraine.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
Over the weekend, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who had polio as a child, spoke out in defense of the polio vaccine after a recent report disclosed that one of Kennedy’s advisors filed a petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022.
—Michelle L. Price and Adriana Gomez Licon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
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Keith Bedford, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Witkoff has remained close to Trump for decades, testifying as an expert witness at his New York civil fraud trial in defense of the former president, and golfing with Trump during his second assassination attempt in September.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2024
His mother fears that Makysym and his older brother will one day have to take up arms in defense of Ukraine.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
Over the weekend, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who had polio as a child, spoke out in defense of the polio vaccine after a recent report disclosed that one of Kennedy’s advisors filed a petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022.
—Michelle L. Price and Adriana Gomez Licon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
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 8 Jan. 2025.
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