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
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
In a fitting end to a one-sided showing, defensive back Jadyn Marshall intercepted a pass near the sideline and ran into the end zone for a touchdown before being swarmed by teammates.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In addition to mating calls, cicadas may also produce alarm calls or defensive sounds.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
The Chiefs, in fact, have yet to sign a defensive free agent this offseason that wasn’t on the roster a year ago.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Isaac was named the Nittany Lions’ defensive MVP after producing a career-high 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
In the realm of fleet and utility driving, Drive Square’s offerings extend to comprehensive training sessions aimed at equipping participants with essential skills and defensive driving tactics.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
The iceman also had a head injury, possibly sustained at the same time, and his right hand shows a defensive wound.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Here are three Kaye’s Takes as the Panthers start their first offseason program under Canales:
Wide receiver isn’t Panthers’ only major need entering 2024 NFL Draft
The Panthers did a swell job in coverage last season during defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s first campaign on the job.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
Judy Berman, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
The shortfall comes as Ukraine is on the defensive along the 600-mile front line in eastern Ukraine and is building additional fortifications, such as bunkers, trenches and minefields.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Jason immediately got on the defensive to clear his name.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
That leaves the noble houses on the defensive, as Paul sends his Fremen legions across the universe to subdue them.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2024
Biden, who’s been on the defensive over the border for much of his term, will meet with US Border Patrol agents in Brownsville, Texas.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024
Trump's campaign says Biden's plan to visit the border is a sign that the president is on the defensive over immigration and the issue is a problem for his reelection effort.
—Seung Min Kim,colleen Long, arkansasonline.com, 27 Feb. 2024
And his father, the former NFL defensive back, provided the best response to the snub.
—USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
The field is divided into eight phases, four offensive, four defensive.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Miami was punished for multiple defensive miscues and created few scoring opportunities.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
In a fitting end to a one-sided showing, defensive back Jadyn Marshall intercepted a pass near the sideline and ran into the end zone for a touchdown before being swarmed by teammates.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In addition to mating calls, cicadas may also produce alarm calls or defensive sounds.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
The Chiefs, in fact, have yet to sign a defensive free agent this offseason that wasn’t on the roster a year ago.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Isaac was named the Nittany Lions’ defensive MVP after producing a career-high 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
In the realm of fleet and utility driving, Drive Square’s offerings extend to comprehensive training sessions aimed at equipping participants with essential skills and defensive driving tactics.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
The iceman also had a head injury, possibly sustained at the same time, and his right hand shows a defensive wound.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Here are three Kaye’s Takes as the Panthers start their first offseason program under Canales:
Wide receiver isn’t Panthers’ only major need entering 2024 NFL Draft
The Panthers did a swell job in coverage last season during defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s first campaign on the job.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
David, on the defensive, in the Curb finaleCourtesy of HBO
Consider the court cases that end each series.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
The shortfall comes as Ukraine is on the defensive along the 600-mile front line in eastern Ukraine and is building additional fortifications, such as bunkers, trenches and minefields.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Jason immediately got on the defensive to clear his name.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
That leaves the noble houses on the defensive, as Paul sends his Fremen legions across the universe to subdue them.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2024
Biden, who’s been on the defensive over the border for much of his term, will meet with US Border Patrol agents in Brownsville, Texas.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024
Trump's campaign says Biden's plan to visit the border is a sign that the president is on the defensive over immigration and the issue is a problem for his reelection effort.
—Seung Min Kim,colleen Long, arkansasonline.com, 27 Feb. 2024
And his father, the former NFL defensive back, provided the best response to the snub.
—USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
The field is divided into eight phases, four offensive, four defensive.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024
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.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English defensif, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvus, from Latin dēfensus, past participle of dēfendere "to ward off, defend" + -īvus -ive
Noun
Middle English defensif "something acting as protection," borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvum, noun derivative from neuter of dēfensīvus defensive entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
circa 1585, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of defensive was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing defensive
Dictionary Entries Near defensive
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defensive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on defensive
Nglish: Translation of defensive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of defensive for Arabic Speakers
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