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
Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025
While Jović offers more immediate offense and Erik Spoelstra trusts him more, Ware’s size, defensive upside, and ability to space the floor fit better next to Bam.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
Philip Hackney, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
The Seahawks can't let Barron's numbers and impressive tape convince them to take the Texas defensive back.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
The Pride have allowed a goal in each of their past six games, and the defensive unit has taken a step backward from last season.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025
While Jović offers more immediate offense and Erik Spoelstra trusts him more, Ware’s size, defensive upside, and ability to space the floor fit better next to Bam.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
Noun
The administration has put Harvard and other universities on the defensive in many other ways too.
—Philip Hackney, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
The Seahawks can't let Barron's numbers and impressive tape convince them to take the Texas defensive back.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
guard
Noun
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But the tenor of the night, and perhaps Chicago’s season, changed abruptly as veteran Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot suffered a knee injury at the 5:29 minute mark of the first quarter on a drive to the basket.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
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For Sky veterans such as guard Ariel Atkins, the game — which drew a franchise record 19,496 fans — represented another breakthrough moment for a league experiencing meteoric growth in popularity.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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