self-defense
noun
self-de·fense
ˌself-di-ˈfen(t)s 
1
: a plea of justification for the use of force or for homicide
2
: the act of defending oneself, one's property, or a close relative
Examples of self-defense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The jury also convicted one of the defendants, 27-year-old Brian Cortez Lightfoot, of five additional counts of use of tear gas not in self-defense, but ended up hung on nine counts of assault.
—
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2024
Though self-defense laws seek to deter violent crime, researchers in a 2020 report found no evidence of lower rates of violent crime with these laws in place.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
And yet, many in the Jewish community are supportive of Israel’s assault on Gaza and have rationalized it as legitimate self-defense.
—Jill Gurvey, Twin Cities, 2 May 2024
But encouraging armed self-defense also creates deep expectations in the U.S. that gun ownership is absolute, experts say.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2024
Before 2001, legitimate self-defense under international law was generally understood to apply only when one country was defending an attack from another.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
In the Jackson County prosecutor’s office, one key factor Baker views as a driver of violence is the confluence of lax gun laws with the expansion of self-defense law.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
The Nashville District Attorney’s Office determined the shooting was done in self-defense and the homeowner is not expected to face charges, officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2024
Kue and Marroquin were found to have acted in self-defense, while Gaddis was charged with crimes that included assault with a dangerous weapon, for allegedly pointing a gun at cops.
—Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2024
Though self-defense laws seek to deter violent crime, researchers in a 2020 report found no evidence of lower rates of violent crime with these laws in place.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
And yet, many in the Jewish community are supportive of Israel’s assault on Gaza and have rationalized it as legitimate self-defense.
—Jill Gurvey, Twin Cities, 2 May 2024
But encouraging armed self-defense also creates deep expectations in the U.S. that gun ownership is absolute, experts say.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2024
Before 2001, legitimate self-defense under international law was generally understood to apply only when one country was defending an attack from another.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
In the Jackson County prosecutor’s office, one key factor Baker views as a driver of violence is the confluence of lax gun laws with the expansion of self-defense law.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
The Nashville District Attorney’s Office determined the shooting was done in self-defense and the homeowner is not expected to face charges, officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2024
Kue and Marroquin were found to have acted in self-defense, while Gaddis was charged with crimes that included assault with a dangerous weapon, for allegedly pointing a gun at cops.
—Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-defense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Self-defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-defense. Accessed 9 May. 2024.
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