as a weapon against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a weapon against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing the use of something (like a strategy, idea, or tool) to combat or oppose another entity or idea. Example: "The politician used misinformation as a weapon against his opponents during the campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Nobody used that as a weapon against him".

The New York Times

Yet using us as a weapon against the enemy will.

The Guardian

Jang views his memoir as a weapon against tyranny.

The Guardian - Books

"It hasn't used [gas] as a weapon against EU countries.

The Guardian

The provision is thus both over- and under-inclusive as a weapon against insider trading.

Harvard University

The government denies that it is applying the law as a weapon against political dissent.

The New York Times

Mr Obama is not alone in regarding economic development as a weapon against terrorism.

The Economist

Streptomyces bacteria spew geosmin as a weapon against other bacteria in the soil where they live.

The New York Times - Science

A law crafted to help women has been used as a weapon against them.

The Guardian

So the requirement for scientifically based research was first intended as a weapon against whole language.

The New York Times

In any event, he can't be used as a weapon against Catholicism per se.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a weapon against", ensure the noun preceding the phrase is something that can logically be used to oppose or counter another force. For example, "knowledge" or "law" can be used as weapons, but "friendship" may not fit unless in a specific metaphorical context.

Common error

Avoid using abstract nouns that do not logically function as tools of opposition with "as a weapon against". For instance, saying "apathy as a weapon against progress" is less effective than "misinformation as a weapon against progress" because the latter implies a deliberate action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a weapon against" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the means by which something is used to oppose or defend against something else. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its role in indicating opposition or defense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a weapon against" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the act of employing something to counteract or defend against another entity. Ludwig AI identifies its correct and consistent usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media, academic writing, and general discourse. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, ensure that the noun preceding the phrase logically functions as a tool of opposition, and consider using alternatives like ""as a defense against"" or ""to combat"" for subtle shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a defense against

Focuses more directly on protection or shielding from harm.

to combat

Emphasizes active fighting and opposition.

to counter

Suggests an action taken to neutralize or offset another's effect.

in opposition to

Highlights the stance of being against something, more passive.

as a deterrent to

Implies preventing something from happening through intimidation.

for protection from

Clearly states the intention of guarding or sheltering.

in the fight against

Positions the action as part of a larger struggle.

to ward off

Evokes the act of deflecting or averting something unwanted.

to mitigate

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something.

to neutralize

Aims to render something ineffective or harmless.

FAQs

How can I use "as a weapon against" in a sentence?

This phrase indicates using something to counteract or defend against something else. For example, "The lawyer used the evidence as a weapon against the defendant".

What are some alternatives to "as a weapon against"?

You can use alternatives like "as a defense against", "to combat", or "to counter" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as a weapon for" instead of "as a weapon against"?

No, "as a weapon for" implies using something to aid or support, whereas "as a weapon against" implies using something to oppose or counteract. They have opposite meanings.

What's the difference between "as a weapon against" and "in the fight against"?

"As a weapon against" describes something being used directly for opposition, while "in the fight against" situates an action or idea within a broader struggle or conflict.