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
Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Eric Garcia is often a solid option in that area of the pitch too, but Hansi Flick’s Swiss Army knife is required to operate at right back and in defensive midfield in other moments.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Freshman defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (six interceptions) and senior transfer Jakobe Thomas (five) have a boatload of picks.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Adjective
Who are the potential defensive MVP candidates to watch?
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Eric Garcia is often a solid option in that area of the pitch too, but Hansi Flick’s Swiss Army knife is required to operate at right back and in defensive midfield in other moments.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
Fourth-round rookie defensive tackle Joshua Farmer and backup running back Terrell Jennings also practiced.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Freshman defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (six interceptions) and senior transfer Jakobe Thomas (five) have a boatload of picks.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensive
Adjective
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The administration’s framing of the deadly shootings in Minneapolis was part of the motivation for the request to modify the protective order in the case and release the evidence, said Parente.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Consumer electronics researchers are designing self-healing polymers for flexible displays and scratch-prone protective surfaces.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Freshman guard Meleek Thomas added 20 points and had three steals.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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Midway through the fourth quarter, Lee was ejected and had to be restrained by Hornets guard Brandon Miller while yelling at officials for a no-call after Charlotte’s Grant Williams collided with Detroit’s Paul Reed.—
Steve Reed,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensive. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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