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

Despite Sneed’s best defensive efforts, Mason came alive, scoring 12 of his team-high 23 points in the fourth quarter. — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Moton was moved to the non-football injury list, joining two-time Pro Bowl defensive back Jaycee Horn. — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

Noun

Parenting advice has changed so much in even the last two decades that folks from older generations who raised seemingly healthy kids might feel left behind, embarrassed by their outdated opinions, or defensive of their own parenting choices. — Parents, 16 July 2026

With Spain now holding a two-goal advantage, look for its world-class defensive-four to add a body or two to prevent any sort of France comeback. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 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