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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defensive
Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
The Orediggers turned Diaz’s first interception into a short touchdown run from senior defensive end Dominic Caggiano out of a jumbo package to push the Mines lead to 21-6 early in the second quarter.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
ABC News, 28 Dec. 2025
But that didn't stop consumers from viewing its prices as too high, which put the company on the defensive.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
The Colts placed defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on IR with a neck injury.
—Noun
President Trump facing a political firestorm over the Jeffrey Epstein files, dividing his base and putting the president on the defensive.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
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Prokop faces four misdemeanor charges, including one count of a violation of bond — protective order, one count of evading arrest or detention and two counts of resisting arrest, search or transportation.—
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Regardless of whether that belief is true or not, the fact that it was even said caused people to be very protective of their kids because there was the possibility of danger.—
Noun
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Sports Equipment While the dishwasher isn't ideal for cleaning baseball caps, uniforms, or equipment heavily-coated with mud, a trip through a dishwasher cycle is ideal to remove bacteria and odors from mouth guards and hard plastic shin guards.—
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The Hurricanes were without guard Gal Raviv, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.—
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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