on defense
idiom
sports
: on the part of a team that defends the goal
She began the season on defense, but her coach later put her on offense.
Examples of on defense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 49ers may be hobbled, especially on defense, but their defense has been rock-solid, especially during crucial junctures of games.
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Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
White has been a reliable playmaker on defense amid his slump, and that continued Wednesday with another three steals and one block.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025
There’s much more pressure on defense.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
Santa Margarita’s strengths on defense are numerous but the unit believes its biggest advantage isn’t measured in categories such as height, weight, 40-yard dash or recruiting stars.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
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Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
White has been a reliable playmaker on defense amid his slump, and that continued Wednesday with another three steals and one block.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025
There’s much more pressure on defense.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
Santa Margarita’s strengths on defense are numerous but the unit believes its biggest advantage isn’t measured in categories such as height, weight, 40-yard dash or recruiting stars.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on defense
Cite this Entry
“On defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20defense. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
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