defensives

Definition of defensivesnext
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
Noun
  • And the game pits two of the county’s best guards in junior Harmony Golightly of Mater Dei and Texas signee Amalia Holguin of Sage Hill.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The Dolphins have three viable starting offensive linemen — Patrick Paul, Aaron Brewer and Austin Jackson — under contract, and that doesn’t include Jonah Savaiinaea, who was one of the worst starting offensive guards in the NFL last season.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • From the park’s eastern side, try lookouts along the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail, or take a scenic golden-hour ride down Cactus Forest Drive.
    Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Meanwhile, White and Mordon placed Register in one of their two rental cars with Aristil and Tillman acting as lookouts.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Defensives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensives. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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