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
Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Could Parsons’ presence help get them over the hump, the way the free-agent signing of future first-ballot Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White did 32 years ago?
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2025
Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
The 6-foot, 163-pound all-state returnee scored TDs in all three phases for last year’s 4A runners-up as a dangerous all-purpose weapon (1,183 yards, 17 TDs) who also swung games as a rangy defensive back (70 tackles, 3 INTs).
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
The Cowboys traded the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher to the Green Bay Packers today for two first-round picks(2026 & 2027) and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
—Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Could Parsons’ presence help get them over the hump, the way the free-agent signing of future first-ballot Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White did 32 years ago?
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
According to Next Gen Stats, Metellus aligned at the line of scrimmage more often than any other NFL defensive back in 2024.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
The 6-foot, 163-pound all-state returnee scored TDs in all three phases for last year’s 4A runners-up as a dangerous all-purpose weapon (1,183 yards, 17 TDs) who also swung games as a rangy defensive back (70 tackles, 3 INTs).
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
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Future research could also explore why omega-3s appear to be more protective for women—something that’s currently unclear.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
5 Sep. 2025
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Always ask for a protective base coat.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Dermish launched businesses to support the industry, offering everything from guards for drill sites to housing for oil field workers.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
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Bronny, the son of LeBron James, joined his father on the Los Angeles Lakers when the NBA team selected the freshman guard from the University of Southern California as the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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