defense

USAGE SUMMARY

'defense' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'defense' when you refer to an action or strategy taken to protect or guard against attack or criticism. For example, "The company took a new defense strategy in light of their recent financial losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

(a) Proteins related to protein synthesis and degradation; (b) Proteins related to photosynthesis; (c) Proteins related to the defense response; (d) Proteins related to energy and carbohydrate metabolism.

Nature

The rising cost of weapon technology does not mean that defense costs (d) necessarily rise as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP; the sum of all expenditures made in one year).

Britannica

In my defense, 3-D printing is surprisingly hard — a fact its advocates don't dwell upon.

The New York Times

E5 DINING F1-10 EDITORIAL A30-31 Editorials: The new death penalty politics; bringing in Europe on missile defense; how D-Day was won; cleaner power in New York.

The New York Times

In the arms race between host defense and viral counter-defense, plant viruses have evolved various strategies, including encoding suppressors of RNA silencing, to interfere with different steps of the host RNA silencing defense pathways (Ding and Voinnet, 2007; Ding, 2010).

eLife

The Americans drove by infantry from the Republican Guard Nebuchadnezzar Division, the division's command and control unit, air defense batteries and D-30 artillery batteries.

The New York Times

Speaking in NSF's defense, Representative Chaka Fattah (D-PA) said that Flake's amendment is an attack not only on political scientists but on academic research writ large.

Science Magazine

"This Week" looks at ethical issues surrounding House Speaker Newt Gingich and President Clinton; the guests are Michael Cardozo, executive director of the Clinton legal defense fund, Rep. David E. Bonior (D-Mich)., and Rep. John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), 10 a.m.

Los Angeles Times

First to go on was Missile-Defense 3-D, which is rarely remembered as a Master System classic, and for a perfectly good reason it sucked ass.

Vice

The deciphering of those messages, between Hitler's headquarters and his generals, gave the British and Americans insight into German defenses for the D-Day invasion and subsequent battles.

The New York Times

The second prong of the Transferee's Good Faith Defense, being § 8(d), applies to all of the tests in the UVTA, i.e., those found in both §§ 4 and 5 and all their subparts.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defense" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a military strategy, a legal argument, or a personal justification.

Common error

Avoid using "defense" when you actually mean "offense". "Defense" refers to protecting against attack, while "offense" refers to initiating an attack. Using them interchangeably can confuse your message.

Linguistic Context

The word "defense" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the act of protecting or defending against attack, harm, or criticism. It can also act as an adjective, modifying other nouns to describe defensive measures or strategies. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "defense" is a versatile noun and adjective that signifies protection, justification, or resistance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Its meaning varies depending on the context, ranging from military strategies to legal arguments and personal justifications. While "defense" is frequently found in news reports, scientific publications, and formal business documents, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse communication settings. When using "defense", ensure the context clarifies the specific type of protection or justification being referenced, and avoid confusing it with "offense".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protection

Focuses on shielding from harm or danger, similar to the protective aspect of "defense".

shield

Emphasizes the act of protecting or defending someone or something.

safeguard

Emphasizes the act of protecting something from harm or damage, akin to a defensive strategy.

justification

Highlights the act of providing reasons to support or defend an action or belief.

vindication

Focuses on clearing someone of blame or suspicion, a form of defense against accusations.

support

Implies providing assistance or backing, which can be a form of defense.

cover

Implies protection or justification, often in the context of concealing or excusing something.

explanation

Provides reasons or justifications, often in response to criticism or questioning.

argument

Presents a reasoned case in support of a position, often in response to opposition.

plea

A formal request or argument made in a court of law, often in defense of someone.

FAQs

How can I use "defense" in a sentence?

You can use "defense" to refer to military strategies, legal arguments, or personal justifications. For example, "The country strengthened its air "defense" system", "The lawyer presented a strong "defense" for his client", or "He offered a weak "defense" for his actions".

What are some alternatives to the word "defense"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "protection", "safeguard", or "justification".

What is the difference between "defense" and "offense"?

"Defense" refers to protecting against an attack, while "offense" refers to initiating an attack. They are opposite strategies or actions.

When is it appropriate to use "defense" in a legal context?

In a legal context, "defense" refers to the arguments and evidence presented by the defendant to counter the prosecution's case. It aims to prove innocence or mitigate the severity of the charges.