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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defensive
Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
The Orediggers turned Diaz’s first interception into a short touchdown run from senior defensive end Dominic Caggiano out of a jumbo package to push the Mines lead to 21-6 early in the second quarter.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Zelenskyy, who is expected to push for more military support, including long-range Tomahawk missiles that could be used to strike deep inside Russia, said the talks showed Putin was on the defensive.
—Henry Austin, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
The Colts placed defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on IR with a neck injury.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
The Orediggers turned Diaz’s first interception into a short touchdown run from senior defensive end Dominic Caggiano out of a jumbo package to push the Mines lead to 21-6 early in the second quarter.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
The sounds and images of heavy construction equipment ripping apart one of the most historic places in the United States, though, have put the White House on the defensive.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Zelenskyy, who is expected to push for more military support, including long-range Tomahawk missiles that could be used to strike deep inside Russia, said the talks showed Putin was on the defensive.
—Henry Austin, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
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Many women with natural hair can empathize with the breakage concerns and tediousness that can arise when taking down protective styles.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Some dietary supplements can help with bloating by improving factors like gut bacteria, digestion, and the gut’s protective barrier.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Sports Equipment While the dishwasher isn't ideal for cleaning baseball caps, uniforms, or equipment heavily-coated with mud, a trip through a dishwasher cycle is ideal to remove bacteria and odors from mouth guards and hard plastic shin guards.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Hurricanes were without guard Gal Raviv, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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