absolute defence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolute defence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a complete justification or excuse that absolves a defendant from liability or responsibility for an action. Example: "In this case, the defendant claimed an absolute defence of self-defence, arguing that their actions were necessary to protect themselves from harm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In libel, truth is an absolute defence for the accused publisher.

The Guardian - Opinion

The emerging idea that high office can never provide an absolute defence for such crimes was reinforced by the House of Lords' ruling in 1999 that Augusto Pinochet, Chile's ex-dictator, could be prosecuted for torture.

The Economist

The licence holder has an absolute defence if the licence holder can establish that the average price of the drug or medical device remains less than its direct supply cost, plus 15percentt".

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Greece has spent an estimated €216bn on armaments, although I am 100% certain that in absolute terms its defence expenditure is much greater than official documents would show due to the so-called secret funds the state has access to," said Katerina Tsoukala, a Brussels-based security expert.

The Guardian

The missing No 7 For a long time England haven't had a poacher, fetcher, stealer – that plays in a No 7 shirt who gives continuity in attack and is an absolute menace in defence, who's continually the first, second or third person there at the cost of everything else.

Independent

"Real Madrid reiterates once again its absolute commitment to the defence, protection and the correct and healthy development of minors, which take precedence over sporting interests and, as a consequence, confirms its total support of these Fifa regulations and the club's adherence to them".

The Guardian - Sport

Throughout the team there was considerable resolve in defence and absolute parity in possession and territory.

BBC

Hobbes was associated with the royalist side, and might also have had reason to fear punishment because of his defence of absolute sovereignty in his political philosophy.

SEP

The circumstances in which defences of absolute and qualified privilege are available will be extended to protect peer-reviewed material in scientific and academic journals.

The Guardian

Ms Larke described the claim, made by Mr Collins' defence counsel, as "absolute lies".

BBC

It will not be defeated until our determination is as complete as theirs, our defence of freedom as absolute as their fanaticism, until our passion for the democratic way is as great as their passion for tyranny.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absolute defence", ensure the context is legal or formal, as it denotes a complete and unconditional justification in such matters.

Common error

Avoid using "absolute defence" in non-legal contexts where a less formal term like "strong justification" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "absolute defence" is that of a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing a legal strategy or position. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts related to law and justification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolute defence" is a grammatically sound noun phrase primarily used in legal contexts to denote a complete and unconditional justification, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare in general usage, it appears most frequently in news and media coverage of legal proceedings and in scientific and formal discussions of law. Alternatives include "complete defense" and "total defense". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the formal and legal nature of the context, avoiding its application in situations where a less precise term would suffice. Remember that an "absolute defence" offers full protection, contrasting with a "qualified defence", which has limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete defense

Replaces "absolute" with "complete", emphasizing the thoroughness of the legal protection.

total defense

Substitutes "absolute" with "total", indicating an unqualified and comprehensive defense.

unqualified defense

Uses "unqualified" instead of "absolute", highlighting that the defense is without conditions or limitations.

full legal justification

Replaces "defence" with "legal justification", clarifying the nature of the protection.

complete legal immunity

Replaces "defence" with "legal immunity", focusing on the exemption from legal liability.

ironclad defense

Uses "ironclad" to describe the defense as being impenetrable and secure.

impregnable defense

Employs "impregnable" to suggest the defense is impossible to overcome.

watertight defense

Describes the defense as being flawless and incapable of being challenged successfully.

impenetrable barrier

Changes "defence" to "barrier", conveying a strong protective measure.

unassailable position

Shifts from "defence" to "position", implying a legal stance that cannot be attacked or questioned.

FAQs

How to use "absolute defence" in a sentence?

You can use "absolute defence" in sentences like: "The defendant claimed an "absolute defence" of self-defense." or "Truth is an "absolute defence" in libel cases."

What can I say instead of "absolute defence"?

Alternatives to "absolute defence" include "complete defense", "total defense", or "unqualified defense", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "absolute defence" or "qualified defence"?

"Absolute defence" and "qualified defence" are both correct, but they have different meanings. An "absolute defence" provides complete immunity, while a "qualified defence" offers protection only under specific circumstances.

In what contexts is "absolute defence" typically used?

"Absolute defence" is typically used in legal contexts, particularly when discussing justifications or excuses that completely absolve a defendant of liability.