as in protective
intended to resist or prevent attack or aggression
a defensive alliance among the small nations against the aggressors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of defensive
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Alphonso Davies, one of the best defensive players in the world, is a major reason why.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
28 June 2026
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Workplace safety has long been viewed as a defensive, or sometimes reactive, cost — a line item optimized to satisfy regulators, hold down insurance premiums and contain damage.
—
Sentry Insurance,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
Durbin has also ranked among the league’s best defensive third basemen.
—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Alphonso Davies, one of the best defensive players in the world, is a major reason why.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
28 June 2026
Noun
The growing rift has brought much of the Senate’s business to a halt and put Republicans who are up for reelection this year on the defensive.
—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Workplace safety has long been viewed as a defensive, or sometimes reactive, cost — a line item optimized to satisfy regulators, hold down insurance premiums and contain damage.
—
Sentry Insurance,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
-
Repeatedly, agents had to admit that no crime scene tape was laid out, and no other protective measures were taken until after the Palisades fire burned over the Lachman scene.
-
Decisions about protective security are made by the Home Office, not the monarch.
Noun
-
Los Angeles acquired guard Darius Garland in a trade last season, and there are rumors that Kawhi Leonard is on the trade block.
-
After the top four picks, the draft was considered wide open with a logjam of talented guards.
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
