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
Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Nevertheless, the program reflects a growing emphasis on space as a critical domain for national security and highlights the urgency of developing advanced defensive capabilities in response to rapidly advancing missile technologies.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
That includes safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo, whom NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah rates as the 16th-best prospect in the draft, and San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson, whom Jeremiah ranks 40th.
—Arnie Stapleton, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
My goal is to be an assistant defensive coordinator.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Nevertheless, the program reflects a growing emphasis on space as a critical domain for national security and highlights the urgency of developing advanced defensive capabilities in response to rapidly advancing missile technologies.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
Noun
Thornton, a hard-hitting defensive back from Broward County, transferred to the University of Miami this offseason after spending his first two seasons of college football at Boston College.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
That includes safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo, whom NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah rates as the 16th-best prospect in the draft, and San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson, whom Jeremiah ranks 40th.
—Arnie Stapleton, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
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Bike shorts under skirts or dresses, for example, can reduce thigh friction and create a protective barrier during movement.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
6 May 2026
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Collins said taxpayers should also consider filing a protective claim, which preserves their right to a refund while the legal issue is still being resolved.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Noun
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The Magic guard opened 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, hitting two 3-pointers in the final three minutes of the second quarter.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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Much like former head coach Tom Thibodeau, Mike Brown prefers to use McBride off the ball as a spot-up shooter — but also as a guard-to-guard screen setter.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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