a robust defense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a robust defense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a strong or effective argument, strategy, or protection against criticism or attack. Example: "The lawyer presented a robust defense that effectively countered the prosecution's claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It presents a robust defense of comparative theology and of Hindu-Christian Studies as a necessarily theological discipline.

Harvard University

Across town, the U.S. Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard, offered a robust defense of America's role in Mali.

The New Yorker

As a result, many have become too fearful to collect evidence or provide their clients a robust defense.

The New York Times

Anticipating an onslaught, Democrats are preparing a robust defense in an effort to keep the legislation largely intact.

The New York Times

We like the conversation about journalism and the federal government to begin and end with a robust defense of the First Amendment.

The New York Times

GANs are very good at creating realistic adversarial examples, which end up being a very good way to train AI systems to develop a robust defense.

MIT Technology Review

Mr. Kastigar offered a robust defense of police officers' actions with regard to Mr. Loughner, who had "minor" run-ins with them before the shootings.

The New York Times

"There is always a gamble because the jury most likely anticipates the defendants will put up a robust defense," said Jacob S. Frenkel, a former federal prosecutor.

The New York Times

And in some speeches, notably after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Mr. Obama offered a robust defense of American policies, including the war in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Mr. Huhne, 57, immediately resigned and said that he would mount a "robust defense" when the case came to an initial court hearing on Feb. 16.

The New York Times

On Thursday, Joe Biden issued a stinging populist attack on Mitt Romney, and a robust defense of his boss's decision-making chops.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a robust defense" when you want to convey a sense of strength, comprehensiveness, and effectiveness in an argument, strategy, or protective measure. It's suitable for formal writing and adds a layer of sophistication.

Common error

While "a robust defense" is appropriate for formal settings, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing, where simpler alternatives like "strong defense" or "solid defense" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a robust defense" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "robust" modifies the noun "defense". As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a strong or effective argument, strategy, or protection against criticism or attack. The numerous examples show the phrase in action, typically serving as a direct object or a subject complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a robust defense" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a strong and effective defense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal writing and conveys a sense of strength and comprehensiveness. While predominantly found in news and academic contexts, it can be used across various fields to emphasize the reliability and power of a defensive strategy. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "a strong defense" in more casual settings. Be mindful of overuse, and leverage the phrase when a sense of sophistication and authority is desired. With its high frequency and clear meaning, it remains a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong defense

Replaces "robust" with a more common and straightforward adjective, maintaining the core meaning.

a solid defense

Similar to "strong defense", but implies reliability and firmness.

an unyielding defense

Emphasizes the unwavering nature of the defense.

a vigorous defense

Highlights the energy and intensity of the defensive effort.

a comprehensive defense

Focuses on the thoroughness and completeness of the defense.

an impregnable defense

Suggests a defense that is virtually impossible to overcome.

a resilient defense

Highlights the ability of the defense to recover from setbacks.

an effective safeguard

Shifts the focus to protection and security.

a stout bulwark

Uses a more figurative and archaic term for a strong defense.

a well-fortified position

Emphasizes the preparedness and strength of a defensive stance.

FAQs

How can I use "a robust defense" in a sentence?

You can use "a robust defense" to describe a strong and well-supported argument, for example: "The lawyer presented "a robust defense" that convinced the jury."

What are some alternatives to "a robust defense"?

Alternatives include "a strong defense", "a solid defense", or "an effective safeguard", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a robust defense" instead of a simpler phrase?

Use "a robust defense" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the strength and comprehensiveness of the defensive strategy or argument. Simpler phrases may be more suitable for informal contexts.

Is "a robust defense" only used in legal contexts?

No, while it's often used in legal contexts, "a robust defense" can also be used in other areas such as cybersecurity, politics, or even in describing a strong immune system response.