strong defense
3
3.9
- noun
- /strɔŋ dɪˈfɛns/
- US
:
defensa sólida
- build a strong defense
Examples
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- It's a very strong defense.
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"His colleague, Martha Raddatz, deemed it a 'very strong defense.'"
Blog text (19) -
Whatever the reason, there was not a strong defense of NAFTA mounted early on, and the opponents of NAFTA gained some steam.
Academic text (1997) -
While I know that a defense's best friend is a ball control offense, the fact is this team needs a strong defense to win, and no one should expect this team to win when we allow scores in the 30s.
Blog text (14) -
In both of Pope John Paul II's most recent social encyclicals ("On Social Concern" 1987 and "On the Hundred Anniversary of Rerum Novarum" 1991), there is a strong defense of democracy.
Academic text (1992) -
The lawyer presented a very strong defense that convinced the jury to acquit her client.
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During the trial, the defendant's team made sure to outline a strong defense based on solid evidence.
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With expert witnesses and compelling testimonies, they built a strong defense that was hard to argue against.
Synonyms
30
3.9
An argument with good evidence and clear reasons that is likely to convince people
Antonyms
How Strong
- US
3
3.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is compositional: 'strong' (powerful) modifies 'defense' (a legal plea or team), so a learner who knows both words can readily infer 'a powerful or convincing legal argument.' This follows a regular adjective + noun pattern found across languages, making the phrase immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.
Etymology
Strong defense makes you imagine a thick wall or big shield, with strong meaning powerful and defense meaning protection. So it now means a powerful legal argument that helps 'protect' someone in court.