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Definitions

on the defensive

ADJECTIVE
uptight
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anxious apprehensive cautious edgy nervous uneasy
WEAK
concerned conventional nervy old-fashioned on edge restive strict tense troubled withdrawn worried
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm composed easygoing laid-back unworried
WEAK
collected cool
ADVERB
defensively
Synonyms
WEAK
at bay carefully in self-defense
Antonyms
WEAK
offensively

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.

OpenAI’s top executives are finalizing plans for a major strategy shift to refocus the company around coding and business users, recognizing that a “do everything all at once” strategy has put them on the defensive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

PayPal, the fintech payments platform, has been on the defensive, down 45% from its most recent 52-week high, even after a 6% pop Monday on takeover speculation.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

A scandal at the Winter Olympics has left the Canadian curling teams on the defensive and Canadians reeling over the crack in their country's polite persona.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

For Patterson, getting the best out of his defenders never proved to be a problem at TCU, where he was known for unearthing underrated prospects on the defensive end.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

Realize that you can only stay on the defensive for so long—eventually, you have to take a stand.

From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

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