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
Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
Last year’s West Virginia team, meanwhile, adapted to its personnel issues and finished 15th in adjusted defensive efficiency.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025
Coming off a national championship win, Ransom is a tone-setting defensive back who can make plays on the ball.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
Length comes up a lot when talking about offensive and defensive linemen.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
Last year’s West Virginia team, meanwhile, adapted to its personnel issues and finished 15th in adjusted defensive efficiency.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
Ukraine has largely been on the defensive since its loss in the Battle of Avdiivka in February 2024.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025
Coming off a national championship win, Ransom is a tone-setting defensive back who can make plays on the ball.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
guard
Noun
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Bringing in a guard who can make that kind of an impact would be of interest to most teams around the NBA.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
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In the four photos, the Indiana Fever guard and the former Iowa men's basketball star are seen happily posing at various venues, including at one of her games.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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