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
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. expects NATO allies to build up to spending 5 percent of their GDP on defense, and Washington will also do the same.
—
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Loyd shot just 36 percent from the field last year, 27.4 percent from downtown and struggled mightily on defense.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 13 May 2025
While the extra weight slowed him down on defense, Isaac doesn’t believe his 3-point shooting woes were physical.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
Trailing by two at the half, the Timberwolves cranked up two things — their ball movement on offense and their intensity on defense.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for on defense
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Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Loyd shot just 36 percent from the field last year, 27.4 percent from downtown and struggled mightily on defense.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 13 May 2025
While the extra weight slowed him down on defense, Isaac doesn’t believe his 3-point shooting woes were physical.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
Trailing by two at the half, the Timberwolves cranked up two things — their ball movement on offense and their intensity on defense.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 May 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 21 May. 2025.
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