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
Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Rivals was the highest on him and listed him the No. 15 weak side defensive end and the No. 210 overall recruit in the nation in the 2022 class.
—Richard Davenport, arkansasonline.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Republicans were on the defensive about two of President-elect Donald Trump's most controversial Cabinet picks Sunday.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defensive 
Adjective
However, each of the ball players provides the Yankees with defensive stability, veteran leadership and an entirely different approach on how to win ball games without relying heavily on home runs.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Rivals was the highest on him and listed him the No. 15 weak side defensive end and the No. 210 overall recruit in the nation in the 2022 class.
—Richard Davenport, arkansasonline.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
For the next two days, firefighters were on the defensive.
—Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Republicans were on the defensive about two of President-elect Donald Trump's most controversial Cabinet picks Sunday.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defensive
Thesaurus Entries Near defensive
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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