defensive

1 of 2

adjective

de·​fen·​sive di-ˈfen(t)-siv  ˈdē-ˌfen(t)- 

1

: serving to defend or protect

defensive fortifications

2

a

: devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack

defensive behavior

He became defensive when I brought up his spending habits.

b

sports : of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest

a player with good defensive skills

made a brilliant defensive play

also : of or relating to a team that is not in possession of the ball or puck

a defensive lineman

3

card games

a

: valuable in defensive play

a defensive card in bridge

b

: designed to keep an opponent from being the highest bidder

a defensive bid

defensively adverb

defensiveness noun

defensive

2 of 2

noun

: a position serving to protect or defend : a defensive position

see also:

on the defensive

Synonyms of defensive

Adjective

• protective

Noun

• guard

Examples of defensive in a Sentence

Adjective

The city began building a defensive wall around its borders.

The government decided to join a defensive alliance with several other nations.

I was surprised by his defensive reaction to my suggestion.

There's no need to get so defensive. I was only making a suggestion.

When we asked her about the mistakes, she became defensive.

The coach has a strong defensive strategy.

Noun

their unexpectedly harsh words put him on the defensive

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The disconnect between a top-10 scoring offense and the league’s worst defense led to a slew of shootout losses and cost defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus his job after just one season. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

The top high school recruit in Mississippi three years ago, Echoles separated himself as the top defensive player at Ole Miss last season. — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

Carter is now a freshman defensive back at Northern Illinois. — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Former Georgia defensive back JaCorey Thomas is trying to get one last crack at playing college football. — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English defensif, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvus, from Latin dēfensus, past participle of dēfendere "to ward off, defend" + -īvus -ive

Noun

Middle English defensif "something acting as protection," borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvum, noun derivative from neuter of dēfensīvus defensive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1585, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing defensive

• defensive medicine
• on the defensive
• self-defensive

Rhymes for defensive

• expensive
• extensive
• intensive
• offensive
• ostensive
• prehensive
• suspensive
• antihypertensive
• apprehensive
• coextensive
• comprehensive
• hypertensive

Kids Definition

defensive

1 of 2 adjective

de·​fen·​sive di-ˈfen(t)-siv  ˈdē-ˌfen(t)- 

1

: serving or intended to defend or protect

a defensive alliance

2

: resisting or preventing attack

defensive behavior

3

: of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest

a player with good defensive skills

defensively adverb

defensiveness noun

defensive

2 of 2 noun

: a defensive position

put on the defensive by an attack

Medical Definition

defensive

adjective

de·​fen·​sive di-ˈfen(t)-siv  ˈdē-ˌ 

1

: serving to defend or protect (as the ego)

face-saving is a common defensive reaction

—Psychology Today

2

: devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack

defensive behavior

defensively adverb

defensiveness noun

Legal Definition

defensive

adjective

de·​fen·​sive

1

: serving to defend or as part of a defense

a defensive pleading

2

: devoted to resisting or preventing aggressive actions

a defensive recapitalization…to escape a takeover attempt

—Barbara Franklin

defensively adverb