DEFENSIVES Synonyms: 6 Similar and Opposite Words

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

offensives

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

The Heat opted to move forward with filling its roster this week instead of plotting a pursuit of the available veteran free agents, a group including guards D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent and Ryan Nembhard.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Head coach Rick Tocchet mentioned afterward that the league had given a heads-up about this push — which focuses on everything from visors to neck guards to, of course, jerseys — a few weeks earlier.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 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

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defensive

defensives

defer

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“Defensives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensives. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defensives

noun

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