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
Alex Cox, Vallow's brother, had admitted to shooting him in self-defense and was never charged.
—
Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Police were investigating claims that her brother, Alex Cox, shot his brother-in-law in self-defense when Cox died from natural causes months after the fatal shooting.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Lori Vallow and her brother were questioned by police at the time and claimed self-defense.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Vallow’s brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019, successfully claiming self-defense, and died himself later that year of natural causes.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
Some are major cases, like District of Columbia v. Heller, in which the originalists found a right to possess a gun for self-defense in the Second Amendment, which says nothing about self-defense.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Throughout history, walking sticks, staves and canes were also used as tools for self-defense, storytelling and as status symbols.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2024
In pure verité-style, the co-directors follow four young Indian women on their journey toward self-empowerment, as they are being taught self-defense with Kalari, the world’s oldest martial art.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
In the reboot, Jaden starred as Dre, who, after moving from the U.S. to Beijing, runs into some trouble and ends up learning a thing or two about self-defense from Mr. Han (Chan), a kung fu master.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Police were investigating claims that her brother, Alex Cox, shot his brother-in-law in self-defense when Cox died from natural causes months after the fatal shooting.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Lori Vallow and her brother were questioned by police at the time and claimed self-defense.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Vallow’s brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019, successfully claiming self-defense, and died himself later that year of natural causes.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
Some are major cases, like District of Columbia v. Heller, in which the originalists found a right to possess a gun for self-defense in the Second Amendment, which says nothing about self-defense.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Throughout history, walking sticks, staves and canes were also used as tools for self-defense, storytelling and as status symbols.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2024
In pure verité-style, the co-directors follow four young Indian women on their journey toward self-empowerment, as they are being taught self-defense with Kalari, the world’s oldest martial art.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
In the reboot, Jaden starred as Dre, who, after moving from the U.S. to Beijing, runs into some trouble and ends up learning a thing or two about self-defense from Mr. Han (Chan), a kung fu master.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 7 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 23 Apr. 2024.
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