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
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco found Higgins jockeying for position against Bears defensive back Nahshon Wright.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
Namdi was an undersized defensive back who had to go the junior college route to get his opportunity.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
Kansas cornerback Syeed Gibbs sacked OSU quarterback Banks Bowen, which led to a fumble and recovery by defensive lineman Gage Keys.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco found Higgins jockeying for position against Bears defensive back Nahshon Wright.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
Crossen will provide depth at cornerback and on special teams with backup defensive back Akayleb Evans sidelined with a hamstring injury.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
Namdi was an undersized defensive back who had to go the junior college route to get his opportunity.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
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They are used as adjuvants to give the immune system an extra kick necessary to make the shots protective.—
NPR,
NPR,
31 Oct. 2025
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After missing time with thumb surgery and a previous hamstring strain, Coulibaly now plays with a protective wrap on his right hand.—
Grant Afseth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Atlanta played much better in a 1-point loss to the Patriots on the road last Sunday, but there are major concerns on the O-line after starting guards Matthew Bergeron and Chris Lindstrom had to leave the Pats game early.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The last time San Diego State opened a men’s basketball season against Long Beach State, in 2010, Kawhi Leonard and the Aztecs trailed by one deep into the second half and needed three 3s by backup guard James Rahon to grind out a nervy road win.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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