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
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Recent studies suggest that phages distribute defensive genes that their hosts can use to hold back the invading pathogens.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
This keeps the conversation constructive and avoids putting your partner on the defensive.
4.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
The Bears won’t emerge from this offseason with offensive and defensive lines ready to rival what the Eagles have built.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Recent studies suggest that phages distribute defensive genes that their hosts can use to hold back the invading pathogens.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
New York magazine is on the defensive over its most recent issue’s cover, which paints a picture of an all-white celebration in Washington, D.C. on the eve of President Donald Trump’s inauguration but was revealed to have been cropped to cut out several Black attendees at the event.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
This keeps the conversation constructive and avoids putting your partner on the defensive.
4.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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