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defensives

noun

plural of defensive
as in guards
a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack their unexpectedly harsh words put him on the defensive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defensives There remains a rotation underway – financials over tech , value over growth , defensives over high-beta stocks – simply not enough to hold the indexes harmless. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensives
  1. guards
  2. lookouts
Noun
  • He was brought to the prison infirmary, where numerous guards surrounded, punched, kicked, choked, dropped and manhandled him.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The drone impacts forced Poland's border guards to temporarily suspend cross-border traffic, evacuate people from vehicles and enhance security.
    — Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of guards
Noun
  • Brunton told The Times that the county was launching a pilot program (somewhat literally) to use helicopters as fire lookouts.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Hiking trails lead to lookouts, while paddleboards allow for spontaneous exploration of the private island's coastline.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lookouts

Browse Nearby Words

defensive
defensives
defer
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Cite this Entry

“Defensives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensives. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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