as in protective
intended to resist or prevent attack or aggression
a defensive alliance among the small nations against the aggressors
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Recent Examples of defensive
Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
With Rice and the speedy Marc Guehi around him, this could become a formidable defensive unit as the tournament develops.
—Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
And leaving threw Iran on the defensive, signaling it as the losing state in the war.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
But somebody has to lead this young group of defensive backs, and McCollum has inherited that role from Dean.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
With Rice and the speedy Marc Guehi around him, this could become a formidable defensive unit as the tournament develops.
—Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Noun
An All-American defensive back, Rex Connors has more than 300 career tackles, the most in program history.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
And leaving threw Iran on the defensive, signaling it as the losing state in the war.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
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The agency has 29 field protective specialists who assist with patrols and 21 administrative protective specialists who secure MARTA facilities.—
Sara Gregory,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
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Vanegas Parra secured an emergency protective order.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Along with Plum’s foul trouble, starting point guard Erica Wheeler finished with five fouls.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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The 20 hours of financial and maintenance training are designed to make sure new homeowners can handle the long-term costs of ownership — property taxes, repairs, insurance — that often catch first-time buyers off guard.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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