to speak in defense of a defendant in a court of law; to plead a case

to formally discuss a subject by presenting opposing arguments, often in a structured or public setting

to provide an explanation or reasons to defend oneself or a point of view, especially in response to criticism or accusations

relating to the logical discussion of ideas and opinions; following the principles of dialectics

to argue, debate, or contend in words, often forcefully

to defend one's thesis or dissertation

a philosophical method of investigating the contradictions in things and their development, often associated with Hegel or Marx

to enter a plea or present a formal defense in a legal context

a legal representative, such as a lawyer, who speaks or acts in support of a defendant in a court of law

to deflect blame from oneself with a dishonest story or use sophistry to make excuses

to defend oneself or rebut a charge by explaining one's reasons or the facts

to assert, allege, or claim something as a defense or justification in response to an accusation or criticism

to dispute or argue against an opinion, statement, or accusation through reasoning

powerful and persuasive in speech or argument

to offer a defense or justification against an accusation or criticism

the use of specious or fallacious reasoning, often intended to deceive or mislead

to offer an explanation or defense in order to clear oneself of a charge, accusation, or misunderstanding

facts speak louder than words

articulate and persuasive in speech or debate; having the gift of gab

(idiom) (of sb unfairly accused) to have all one's protestations fall on deaf ears; to be unable to convince others of one's innocence

to try to make one's case using false arguments

to explain clearly or elucidate through reasoning or argument

an excuse

to debate; to argue

a person who argues in defense of a particular doctrine, policy, or institution

to engage in formal or intellectual debate by raising and answering difficult questions

to argue skillfully or cleverly, often in an attempt to justify or excuse oneself

an eloquent person or someone with exceptional rhetorical and debating skills

allowing no room for argument or debate; absolutely certain or peremptory

to refute a false charge or slanderous accusation

to argue or offer an explanation in one's defense

an excuse

to engage in a verbal dispute or debate over a disagreement

a reply in a debate

A person who uses clever but false arguments, especially one who uses such arguments to deceive.

a written statement admitting to a crime or expressing repentance for an offense

plea of not guilty

plea bargain (law)

an agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and defendant, typically involving a guilty plea in exchange for a lesser charge or sentence

the prosecution and the defense (law)

to persist in a fallacious or weak argument until the very end without admitting defeat or error

inclined to argue or debate; fond of engaging in verbal disputes

skilled in debate and persuasive speaking

to analyze and dissect an issue or argument in detail

Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of wisdom and arts and consort of Lord Brahma.