defense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defense of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the justification or support for a particular action, belief, or position. Example: "In the defense of free speech, many argue that all voices should be heard, regardless of their content."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In defense of the thesaurus.

The New Yorker

His defense of the need….

The New Yorker

To a defense of the Tenth Amendment?

The New Yorker

Tim Parks in defense of editors.

The New Yorker

IN DEFENSE OF FOOD, by Michael Pollan.

The New York Times

An impassioned defense of Google Books.

The New Yorker

Bernard Hopkins's defense of his I.B.F.

The New York Times - Sports

Italian laws forbid the defense of Fascism.

The New York Times

Her defense of literary theory is lovely.

The New York Times - Books

I see the defense of Ukraine.

The New York Times

Nor is this a defense of unilateralism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. While "defense of" is suitable for many contexts, more formal situations might benefit from synonyms like "justification for" or "vindication of".

Common error

Avoid using "defense of" in very casual or informal writing where simpler terms like "supporting" or "backing" would be more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defense of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjectival modifier to describe the purpose or reason behind an action or argument. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defense of" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to express support, justification, or protection. As Ludwig AI verifies, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, although it appears more frequently in news, academic, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, ensure the context clearly explains what is being defended. While versatile, "defense of" can sometimes sound overly formal in casual settings, where alternatives like "supporting" or "backing" may be more fitting. Key related phrases include "in support of", "in favor of", and "justification for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in support of

Replaces "defense" with "support", emphasizing advocacy.

in favor of

Similar to "support", but implies a preference.

to protect

Focuses on the act of safeguarding rather than the justification.

to advocate for

Emphasizes active promotion and defense.

justification for

Highlights the reasons or arguments behind an action or belief.

vindication of

Suggests clearing someone or something from blame or suspicion.

apologia for

Implies a formal defense or justification, often for controversial topics.

championing

Highlights the act of actively supporting and promoting something.

guarding

Focuses on vigilance and maintaining security.

preservation of

Highlights efforts to maintain and protect something from harm or decay.

FAQs

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

You can use "defense of" to show support or justification for something. For example: "His "defense of" the new policy was well-articulated".

What can I say instead of "defense of"?

You can use alternatives like "support of", "in favor of", or "justification for" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in defense of" or "in defense to"?

The correct phrase is "in "defense of"". The preposition "of" is required after "defense" in this context.

What's the difference between "defense of" and "advocacy for"?

"Defense of" generally implies protecting something from attack or criticism, while "advocacy for" suggests actively promoting and supporting a cause or idea.