defensive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This will cut no ice with Tuchel, but his defensive selection will come under serious scrutiny.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Orgeron played defensive line for four years at Northwestern State, then started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 1984.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

Since at least the Obama administration, the U.S. had been largely focused on defensive measures to protect elections, like multifactor authentication and encryption, which make it harder to compromise systems in the first place.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

For all of Arsenal’s control during attacking set pieces, however, it was a defensive set piece that nearly sent them off course.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

He could have gotten mad or defensive, but instead he just laughed and nudged me on the shoulder, saying, "One day you won't be so critical when it comes to girls."

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson