There seemed to be little effort on the part of local residents to defend the militia, they said.

But Batman's efforts to defend the city haven't been without controversy.

Each would lead to an argument from him in an effort to defend his brother.

Despite her best efforts to defend herself, she was foundering.

"But you will make some effort to defend yourself?"

The old man made no obvious effort to defend himself.

But the transportation agency's efforts to defend itself have not gone over well.

He made no effort to defend himself or even launch an intelligent attack.

Naturally, I would only think less of him if he had made no effort to defend it.

Miles lay in his chair, making no effort to defend the issue or himself.