in self-defense
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kelver must now argue her case in court, risking up to 15 years in prison if she cannot convince a jury that she was acting reasonably in self-defense.
From Slate • Jun. 4, 2026
The other man armed himself with a hammer in self-defense, police said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
The ruling amounted to a test case of South Carolina’s stand-your-ground law—which, like similar statutes in states around the U.S., provides criminal and civil immunity in self-defense killings.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
In the case of Good, ICE has maintained the narrative that they were acting in self-defense, even though they had surrounded her vehicle and threatened her before she attempted to drive away.
From Salon • Jan. 17, 2026
The second mate had fought the idea like a harpooned whale, but he had had to learn, in self-defense.
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
