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.
Mexico opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Quiñones capitalized on a defensive error by South Africa and fired a shot down the middle, between the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
On the streets of the capital Tirana, protesters have cited the project to air grievances about unchecked power, environmental degradation and real-estate development, putting the country’s Prime Minister Edi Rama on the defensive.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
In the one debate he participated in, Pratt put Bass on the defensive, turned Raman into a tongue-tied mess, kept his answers sharp and relatable, and even earned the praise of the moderators.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Ecuador have got players like Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, Willian Pacho of Paris St-Germain and Arsenal's Piero Hincapie and they had an incredible defensive record in qualification, plus they will be used to playing in humidity.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Felix wasn't sure why he was getting defensive.
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
Vocabulary lists containing defensive
ASVAB Word Knowledge
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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Tone and Point of View, List 1
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