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Definitions

defensive

[dih-fen-siv] / dɪˈfɛn sɪv /
ADJECTIVE
protective, watchful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
opposing
STRONG
averting conservative foiling forestalling preservative preventive thwarting
WEAK
arresting balking checking coping with defending frustrating guarding in opposition interrupting protecting resistive safeguarding uptight warding off withstanding
Antonyms
WEAK
undefensive unprotective unwary unwatchful

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.

Meanwhile, ETFs saw “moderate inflows,” with investors favoring more defensive assets.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Dog poo bags are not the only indignity the famous defensive frontier has to endure.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year Raven Johnson limited national player of the year Sarah Strong to 12 points on four-for-16 shooting.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

This impaired their ability to send information about appropriate defensive responses to other parts of the brain.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

It came out sharper than I’d intended because I was starting to feel weirdly defensive.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.