de·fen·sive
di-ˈfen(t)-siv 
ˈdē-ˌfen(t)-
ˈdē-ˌfen(t)-
1
: serving to defend or protect
defensive fortifications
2
a
: devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack
defensive behavior
He became defensive when I brought up his spending habits.
b
sports
: of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest
a player with good defensive skills
made a brilliant defensive play
also
: of or relating to a team that is not in possession of the ball or puck
a defensive lineman
3
card games
a
: valuable in defensive play
a defensive card in bridge
b
: designed to keep an opponent from being the highest bidder
a defensive bid
defensively
adverb
defensiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of defensive in a Sentence
Adjective
The city began building a defensive wall around its borders.
The government decided to join a defensive alliance with several other nations.
I was surprised by his defensive reaction to my suggestion.
There's no need to get so defensive. I was only making a suggestion.
When we asked her about the mistakes, she became defensive.
The coach has a strong defensive strategy.
Noun
their unexpectedly harsh words put him on the defensive
Recent Examples on the Web
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2024
After originally committing to play at Maryland in March, the Bel Air rising senior defensive back flipped his commitment to head south.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2024
Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 June 2024
Meanwhile, the most popular TikToks on the trend war are explainer videos and millennials on the defensive.
—Samantha Chery, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for defensive 
Adjective
His defensive grade was seventh in the ACC and 47th nationally among defensive linemen with at least 300 snaps.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2024
After originally committing to play at Maryland in March, the Bel Air rising senior defensive back flipped his commitment to head south.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2024
Noun
What's more, there are now questions about the legality as some of these initiatives in the wake of that ruling, and that's put the business world on the defensive.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 June 2024
Meanwhile, the most popular TikToks on the trend war are explainer videos and millennials on the defensive.
—Samantha Chery, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for defensive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defensive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near defensive
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defensive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
defensive
1 of 2 adjective
de·fen·sive
di-ˈfen(t)-siv
ˈdē-ˌfen(t)-
ˈdē-ˌfen(t)-
1
: serving or intended to defend or protect
a defensive alliance
2
: resisting or preventing attack
defensive behavior
3
: of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest
a player with good defensive skills
defensively
adverb
defensiveness
noun
defensive
2 of 2 noun
: a defensive position
put on the defensive by an attack
Medical Definition
defensive
adjective
de·fen·sive
di-ˈfen(t)-siv
ˈdē-ˌ
ˈdē-ˌ
1
: serving to defend or protect (as the ego)
face-saving is a common defensive reaction—Psychology Today
Psychology Today2
: devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack
defensive behavior
defensively
adverb
defensiveness
noun
Legal Definition
defensive
adjective
de·fen·sive
1
: serving to defend or as part of a defense
a defensive pleading
2
: devoted to resisting or preventing aggressive actions
a defensive recapitalization…to escape a takeover attempt—Barbara Franklin
Barbara Franklin
defensively
adverb
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