on the 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.

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

“It just showed a lot of her mental toughness that, when we needed her the most, she was going to be there for us on the defensive end and on the rebounding end.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 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

"Just wanted to come out early in the game and set a tone for us on the defensive end," Leonard said.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

It didn’t take me long to see why: Within a few pages he had thrown me and my meat eating on the defensive.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan