self-defense

[ self-di-fens, self- ]

/ ˈsɛlf dɪˈfɛns, ˌsɛlf- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR self-defense ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of defending one's person when physically attacked, as by countering blows or overcoming an assailant: the art of self-defense.

a claim or plea that the use of force or injuring or killing another was necessary in defending one's own person from physical attack: He shot the man who was trying to stab him and pleaded self-defense at the murder trial.

an act or instance of defending or protecting one's own interests, property, ideas, etc., as by argument or strategy.

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT 2ND-3RD GRADE VOCAB FROM BOOKS!

Are you learning new vocabulary? Or do you just have an interest in words? Either way, this quiz is for you.

Question 1 of 10

orchard

body of land completely surrounded by water

group of cultivated fruit trees

long mournful cry

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also especially British, self-de·fence.

Origin of self-defense

First recorded in 1645–55

OTHER WORDS FROM self-defense

self-de·fen·sive, adjective

Words nearby self-defense

self-deceived, self-deceiving, self-deception, self-defeating, self-defence, self-defense, self-deliverance, self-delusion, self-denial, self-deprecating, self-depreciating

Example sentences from the Web for self-defense

I went into the audition as Fericito, the Venezuelan percussionist, and then I did a self-defense expert.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The fliers, Ancona explained, are meant to educate people on what rights they legally have to use lethal force in self-defense.
The Klan’s Call to Violence in Ferguson Blows the Lid Off Its Hypocritical Rebrand|Caitlin Dickson|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Exceptions are granted for self-defense, or when the U.N. Security Council specifically authorizes it.
Obama's New War on ISIS May Be Illegal|Eli Lake|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She said she believes Wilson acted in self-defense, but if she were convinced otherwise, she would close down her support group.
Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson Has a Serious Online Fan Club|Gideon Resnick|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They fire round after round in “self-defense” without thought of justice because for them justice does not exist.
Men Without a Country: Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, My Father and Me|Arthur Chu|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And, if it did, Switzerland would in self-defense be bound to oppose the decision!
The Inside Story Of The Peace Conference|Emile Joseph Dillon
No one would ever believe that the blow had been struck in self-defense.
The Real Man|Francis Lynde
"I didn't want her to carry none," said Jim, more eager about self-defense than grammar.
The Ice Queen|Ernest Ingersoll
Happy Benvenuto with his Parisian halo, which did not interfere with the manly arts of self-defense!
The Gentle Reader|Samuel McChord Crothers
In self-defense these societies must be organized, and this sort of thing done away.
Nasby in Exile|David R. Locke

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

self-defense

noun

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT 2ND-3RD GRADE VOCAB FROM BOOKS!

Origin of self-defense

OTHER WORDS FROM self-defense

Words nearby self-defense

Example sentences from the Web for self-defense

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

self-defense

noun

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT 2ND-3RD GRADE VOCAB FROM BOOKS!

Origin of self-defense

OTHER WORDS FROM self-defense

Words nearby self-defense

Words related to self-defense

Example sentences from the Web for self-defense