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
CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Tip of the hat to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who has coached so well he’s now being courted by the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns as a potential head coaching candidate.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
ABC News, 28 Dec. 2025
But that didn't stop consumers from viewing its prices as too high, which put the company on the defensive.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
Over the course of 18 months, Wei sent the officer photos and videos of the Essex, advised him of the location of various Navy ships and told him about the Essex's defensive weapons, prosecutors said.
—CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Tip of the hat to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who has coached so well he’s now being courted by the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns as a potential head coaching candidate.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
President Trump facing a political firestorm over the Jeffrey Epstein files, dividing his base and putting the president on the defensive.
—ABC News, 28 Dec. 2025
But that didn't stop consumers from viewing its prices as too high, which put the company on the defensive.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
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Defense applications include lightweight shelters and protective structures printed in one continuous build.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
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Police said that Hounsou was instructed both on how to obtain a temporary protective order and how the eviction process works in the county.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And senior guard Charlie Poehler came through in the clutch, scoring eight of his team-high 20 points in the fourth.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
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Double drill Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas enjoyed a sublime stretch in the first half to help the Hogs build their largest lead of 20 points.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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