defensive

1 of 2

adjective

de·​fen·​sive di-ˈfen(t)-siv How to pronounce defensive (audio) ˈdē-ˌfen(t)- How to pronounce defensive (audio)
1
: serving to defend or protect
defensive fortifications
2
a
: devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack
defensive behavior
He became defensive when I brought up his spending habits.
b
sports : of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest
a player with good defensive skills
made a brilliant defensive play
also : of or relating to a team that is not in possession of the ball or puck
a defensive lineman
3
card games
a
: valuable in defensive play
a defensive card in bridge
b
: designed to keep an opponent from being the highest bidder
a defensive bid
defensively adverb
defensiveness noun

defensive

2 of 2

noun

: a position serving to protect or defend : a defensive position
Phrases
on the defensive
: in the state or condition of being prepared or required to defend against attack or criticism
keeping his political opponent on the defensive

Examples of defensive in a Sentence

Adjective The city began building a defensive wall around its borders. The government decided to join a defensive alliance with several other nations. I was surprised by his defensive reaction to my suggestion. There's no need to get so defensive. I was only making a suggestion. When we asked her about the mistakes, she became defensive. The coach has a strong defensive strategy. Noun their unexpectedly harsh words put him on the defensive
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
And with all due respect to Tyler, Durant figures to be the one for the ages who will draw the ultimate defensive respect. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025 Indianapolis still has its two stalwart defensive tackles, DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, anchoring the interior defensive line. James Boyd, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Noun
New polling of likely voters in Senate battleground states has found President Trump’s frequent clashes with federal courts are becoming a hot issue that could put Senate Republican candidates on the defensive in 2026. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 20 June 2025 The Kansas City Chiefs are being sued by former NFL defensive back Ramzee Robinson, who previously worked as the team's director of player engagement. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for defensive

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English defensif, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvus, from Latin dēfensus, past participle of dēfendere "to ward off, defend" + -īvus -ive

Noun

Middle English defensif "something acting as protection," borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvum, noun derivative from neuter of dēfensīvus defensive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defensive was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defensive. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

defensive

1 of 2 adjective
de·​fen·​sive di-ˈfen(t)-siv How to pronounce defensive (audio) ˈdē-ˌfen(t)- How to pronounce defensive (audio)
1
: serving or intended to defend or protect
a defensive alliance
2
: resisting or preventing attack
defensive behavior
3
: of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest
a player with good defensive skills
defensively adverb
defensiveness noun

defensive

2 of 2 noun
: a defensive position
put on the defensive by an attack

Medical Definition

defensive

adjective
de·​fen·​sive di-ˈfen(t)-siv How to pronounce defensive (audio) ˈdē-ˌ How to pronounce defensive (audio)
1
: serving to defend or protect (as the ego)
face-saving is a common defensive reactionPsychology Today
2
: devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack
defensive behavior
defensively adverb
defensiveness noun

Legal Definition

defensive

adjective
de·​fen·​sive
1
: serving to defend or as part of a defense
a defensive pleading
2
: devoted to resisting or preventing aggressive actions
a defensive recapitalization…to escape a takeover attemptBarbara Franklin
defensively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on defensive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!