self-defense

[ self-di-fens, self- ]

/ ˈsɛlf dɪˈfɛns, ˌsɛlf- /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

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

Also especially British, self-de·fence.

Origin of self-defense

First recorded in 1645–55

Related forms

self-de·fen·sive, adjective

Examples 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