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.
“But each disaster is a teachable moment, and I’m afraid the defensive tone of this report suggests a limited institutional capacity to learn from bitter experience.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Had they held on a couple of minutes more, this game would have been viewed much differently - Guardiola showing a new string to his bow with a defensive masterclass against a title rival.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
With investor protection a bit lower, Evercore said they’re now recommeding “tapping the brakes” on low defensive stocks — such as strongly performing tech names.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
Despite his track record of mediocre offense—he has lifetime .257 batting average with a .674 OPS—his defensive versatility and his positive clubhouse presence have made him attractive as a utility man.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
Perhaps it was the memory of this post-card, lost long ago in some forgotten book, that made me sympathise with his defensive attitude.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
Vocabulary lists containing defensive
ASVAB Word Knowledge
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Tone and Point of View, List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
