is not in defense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not in defense of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to clarify that a statement or action does not support or justify a particular position or argument. Example: "His comments are not in defense of the controversial policy, but rather a critique of its implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That is not in defense of steroids, or human growth hormones, it's just why cops need to be physically fit".

The New York Times

Such a strategy is not in defense of deforestation, but serves to reduce its negative impact.

Carbon Balance and Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If, in the second half of the film, they exact a macabre revenge on this Yankee, it is not in the defense of Southern honor but purely because at least three of them, awake after dark, were competing for his favor, and the competition turned sour.

The New Yorker

Illegal use of armed force that is not in self-defense and kills large numbers of innocent people should be condemned by national courts everywhere as crimes against humanity.

The New York Times

As civilian self-defense imposes on a fair trial because civilian self-defense is not in the Bill of Rights, but fair trial is in the Bill of Rights.

Huffington Post

The real impact of Stand Your Ground laws is not in their expansion of the right of self-defense to the public streets -- many states, including my own liberal state of California, have allowed people to stand their ground for decades.

Huffington Post

"This revolving door only keeps the gravy train of taxpayer dollars flowing to these for-profit players -- even if it is not in the interests of our national defense and economy".

Huffington Post

"All I'm saying is not really in defense of a behavior," Hertzberg replies.

The New Yorker

But the people marching in Paris on Sunday were not marching in defense of the real-world hypocrisies and betrayals present in noble ideas.

Vice

To be clear, I am not writing in defense of twerking.

Huffington Post

The fact that President Clinton asked that they be kept private in 1994, not yesterday, is not a defense of Hillary's response.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not in defense of" when you want to clearly state that you are not supporting or justifying a particular action, idea, or statement. This can help to avoid misinterpretations and clarify your stance.

Common error

Avoid using "is not in defense of" when you simply want to remain neutral. This phrase implies a potential conflict or controversy. Opt for neutral language if you don't want to take any side.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not in defense of" functions as a qualifier or a disclaimer. It's used to explicitly state that something is not intended to support or justify a particular action, belief, or argument. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not in defense of" serves as a disclaimer, clarifying that a statement or action should not be interpreted as support or justification for something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in various contexts, most commonly in news and media, and scientific writing.

While grammatically correct, "is not in defense of" is relatively infrequent. Alternatives such as "does not support" or "does not justify" may provide a more direct and concise way to express the same idea. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with your intended meaning and avoids misinterpretations. Using the phrase correctly can help maintain clarity and prevent unintended endorsements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not justify

Replaces the entire phrase with a verb-focused alternative.

does not support

Uses a more direct verb to indicate lack of endorsement.

is not an endorsement of

Specifies that there's no endorsement implied.

does not advocate for

Indicates a lack of active support or promotion.

is not a validation of

Emphasizes the absence of validation or approval.

is not an argument for

Focuses on the lack of persuasive reasoning.

is not in favour of

States a lack of preference or approval.

is not aligned with

Indicates a discrepancy in principles or goals.

does not excuse

Implies that the action cannot be excused.

is not a pretext for

Highlights that something cannot be used as a superficial justification.

FAQs

What does "is not in defense of" mean?

The phrase "is not in defense of" indicates that someone is not supporting, justifying, or advocating for something. It is used to clarify a position and distance oneself from a particular viewpoint or action.

How can I use "is not in defense of" in a sentence?

You can use "is not in defense of" to state that you are not supporting a particular viewpoint. For example, "This statement "is not in defense of" the policy, but an analysis of its flaws."

What can I say instead of "is not in defense of"?

Alternatives to "is not in defense of" include "does not support", "does not justify", or "is not an endorsement of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "is not defending" or "is not in defense of"?

"Is not defending" is a more concise and direct way to express a lack of support. "Is not in defense of" emphasizes the lack of justification or advocacy for something, but is slightly more formal.