defensive

adjective de·fen·sive \ di-ˈfen(t)-siv , ˈdē-ˌ \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: defensive in a Sentence

Definition of defensive

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

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

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defensively

adverb

—

defensiveness

noun

See defensive defined for English-language learners

See defensive defined for kids

Examples of defensive in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of defensive from the Web

Mount Healthy defensive end Lonnie Phelps was Miam's first verbal commitment in the '19 cycle.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Miami University RedHawks football recruiting class tops the Mid-American Conference," 15 June 2018
Ballard replaced Chuck Pagano, a big-hearted but defensive-minded and decidedly old-school meathead of a coach, with Frank Reich.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Andrew Luck finally has a coaching staff who deserves him," 13 June 2018
Warren’s Zack Pelland has received interest from several Missouri Valley and Ivy League schools for his abilities as a defensive end.

— lamond pope, Lake County News-Sun, "Setting the tone: Zack Pelland is preparing to anchor Warren’s defensive line," 13 June 2018
Ironically, the weakest part of the team might be its defensive-minded manager, the 1998 World Cup-winning midfielder Didier Deschamps.

— andrew beaton, WSJ, "World Cup 2018: A Guide to Every Team," 12 June 2018
Varner, a three-star defensive end from Georgia, joined the Cardinals' 2019 recruiting class Saturday.

— jake lourim, The Courier-Journal, "Georgia defensive end Kristian Varner visits, commits to Louisville," 9 June 2018
Two other transfers – safety Deontay Anderson (Ole Miss) and defensive end Isaiah Chambers (TCU) – also are expected to start for UH this season.

— joseph duarte, Houston Chronicle, "CB Nick Watkins plans to transfer to UH from Notre Dame," 7 June 2018
At worst, Grenier has a career as a defensive-minded utilityman ahead of him, with the upside of being a glove-first regular at shortstop.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Get to know 2018 Orioles draft picks Grayson Rodriguez, Cadyn Grenier," 5 June 2018
In addition to Jenkins, defensive end Chris Long was the most outspoken player against going.

— jill colvin and jonathan lemire, courant.com, "Trump scraps Eagles visit to avoid low turnout, cites anthem," 5 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defensive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of defensive

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

defensive Synonyms

defensive

noun

Definition of defensive

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

— on the defensive

: in the state or condition of being prepared or required to defend against attack or criticism

keeping his political opponent on the defensive

See defensive defined for English-language learners

Examples of defensive in a Sentence

their unexpectedly harsh words put him on the defensive

Recent Examples of defensive from the Web

Putnam, a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, is on the defensive and wants to put the controversy behind him.

— anthony man, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Democrats release ad blasting Adam Putnam on gun permit failure," 14 June 2018
Art Lastofka, class of 1947, was a defensive back and played for the Chicago Bears in 1951.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "West Allis Central athletic hall of fame dotted with surprisingly many Olympic, professional and national notables," 12 June 2018
Watkins joins Jack Buford and Aidan Harrison, a defensive back from Michigan as the three pledges in Missouri’s 2019 class.

— alex schiffer, kansascity, "Barry Odom picks up two pledges, loses one and offers a Maclin in big recruiting weekend," 11 June 2018
The ladies from Rapunzel to Snow White immediately go on the defensive, with Cinderella breaking her glass slipper like a beer bottle in a bar fight to stare down the intruder.

— richard tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney princesses get defensive in new 'Wreck-It Ralph 2' trailer," 5 June 2018
And in several key races across the country, Republicans find themselves on the defensive over Trump's trade agenda.

— eric bradner, CNN, "Trump's trade moves create midterm headache for Republicans," 4 June 2018
So too, in the aftermath of Kennedy’s death, would liberalism be knocked to the defensive.

— david m. shribman, BostonGlobe.com, "50 years after RFK’s death, legacy endures," 3 June 2018
But nearly two decades later, the White House found itself on the defensive for its after-the-fact disclosure that Laura Bush had skin cancer removed from her right shin in November 2006.

— Washington Post, "Trump welcomes wife home in tweet that misspells her name," 19 May 2018
Footage of that moment is used as an example of what a defensive back like Trevon Diggs shouldn't do in that scenario.

— michael casagrande, AL.com, "Why Alabama CB always has cleats in his car," 20 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of defensive

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1585

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

defensive Synonyms

Synonyms

guard;

Antonyms

offensive;

Related Words

alert, lookout, qui vive, watch;

DEFENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

defensive

adjective

Definition of defensive for English Language Learners

: defending or protecting someone or something from attack : helping to keep a person or thing safe
: behaving in a way that shows that you feel people are criticizing you
sports : of or relating to the way that players try to stop an opponent from scoring in a game or contest

DEFENSIVE Defined for Kids

defensive

adjective de·fen·sive \ di-ˈfen-siv \

Definition of defensive for Students

1 : serving or meant to defend or protect

a defensive structure

2 : relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring

a defensive play

3 : showing a dislike for criticism

She got defensive about my suggestion.

—

defensively

adverb

defensive

noun

Definition of defensive for Students

: a position or attitude that is meant to defend

The criticism put him on the defensive.

Medical Dictionary

defensive

adjective de·fen·sive \ di-ˈfen(t)-siv , ˈdē-ˌ \

medical Definition of defensive

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

Law Dictionary

defensive

adjective de·fen·sive

legal Definition of defensive

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

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defensively

adverb

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defensively

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defensive

Definition of defensive

Examples of defensive in a Sentence

Recent Examples of defensive from the Web

Origin and Etymology of defensive

defensive Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

DEFENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

defensive

Definition of defensive for English Language Learners

DEFENSIVE Defined for Kids

defensive

Definition of defensive for Students

defensively

defensive

Definition of defensive for Students

Medical Dictionary

defensive

medical Definition of defensive

defensively

defensiveness

Law Dictionary

defensive

legal Definition of defensive

defensively

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