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
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Once attempts to sign unspecified defensive linemen fell through in free agency, Lynch said the 49ers pivoted and traded for Osa Odighizuwa from Dallas for a third-round pick.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The high price of gas in California, resulting in large part from higher taxes and more regulation, has put the state’s leaders on the defensive for years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
Any injury to Jones, Harold Landry or even stud defensive tackle Milton Williams will plunge their four-man pass rush near the bottom of the league.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Once attempts to sign unspecified defensive linemen fell through in free agency, Lynch said the 49ers pivoted and traded for Osa Odighizuwa from Dallas for a third-round pick.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
The New York Jets are reportedly set to acquire Miami Dolphins All-Pro defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick in a trade as NFL free agency gets off to a raucous start.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The high price of gas in California, resulting in large part from higher taxes and more regulation, has put the state’s leaders on the defensive for years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
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Rabell was pressured to sign money transfers and a power of attorney document and pay a $2,000 deposit to an owner, adult protective investigator Eneida Senrra said under oath to Gardner, the Inspector General investigator.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Once Orion blazes through Earth's atmosphere, a protective heat shield will be cast off to make way for parachutes to deploy and slow the vehicle down.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Playing on the second night of a back-to-back after winning at Memphis on Monday night, the Suns (42-34) were led by two-time All-NBA guard Devin Booker, who scored a game-high 34 points.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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Injury update Heat guard Norman Powell was ruled out for a third consecutive game with an upper respiratory infection.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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