defensive

1 of 2

adjective

de·fen·sive di-ˈfen(t)-siv How to pronounce defensive (audio)

ˈdē-ˌfen(t)- How to pronounce defensive (audio)

: serving to defend or protect

defensive fortifications

: devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack

defensive behavior

He became defensive when I brought up his spending habits.

sports : of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest

a player with good defensive skills

made a brilliant defensive play

also : of or relating to a team that is not in possession of the ball or puck

a defensive lineman

card games

: valuable in defensive play

a defensive card in bridge

: designed to keep an opponent from being the highest bidder

a defensive bid

defensively adverb

defensiveness noun

defensive

2 of 2

noun

: a position serving to protect or defend : a defensive position

Example Sentences

Adjective The city began building a defensive wall around its borders. The government decided to join a defensive alliance with several other nations. I was surprised by his defensive reaction to my suggestion. There's no need to get so defensive. I was only making a suggestion. When we asked her about the mistakes, she became defensive. The coach has a strong defensive strategy. Noun their unexpectedly harsh words put him on the defensive See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Along with his father's departure, the Hoosiers also lost defensive coordinator Charlton Warren, who left for North Carolina.

Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Sep. 2022 Kacy Rodgers, the run-game defensive coordinator for the Bucs, elaborated on Bowles’ observation.

Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 The former Oklahoma defensive coordinator left his similar job at Clemson to return to Norman.

Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 The Saints also have a new head coach with former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen taking over.

Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2022 One of Oregon’s true freshmen who’s turned heads during fall camp is defensive back Khamari Terrell.

James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2022 In the interview, which serves as the book’s epilogue, Mr. Koecher argues that the American stance in the Cold War was mistaken or disingenuous—that Moscow’s actions were fundamentally defensive and the U.S. was never their real target.

Edward Kosner, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Still, Trump had around him in the White House a coterie of lawyers who were defensive of the FBI and Justice Department, particularly former White House counsels Pat Cipollone and Don McGahn.

Anchorage Daily News, 20 Aug. 2022 Still, Trump had around him in the White House a coterie of lawyers who were defensive of the FBI and Justice Department, particularly former White House counsels Pat Cipollone and Don McGahn.

BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022

Noun

The Longhorns missed on the likes of Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel was famously offered a scholarship only to play defensive back.

Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 8 Sep. 2022 For opponents, the Cardinals’ ability to maintain possession and attack from all angles puts them on the defensive from the onset.

Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 Even with this loss, Bluebell has put Richemont on the defensive.

Carol Ryan, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 The counteroffensive there is one of the first for Ukrainian troops that have been largely on the defensive.

Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2022 But accompanying the hiring was a burst of inflation that hit a 40-year peak this summer, crushing consumer sentiment and putting the administration on the defensive to show how its policies are helping the economy.

Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 Nationally, Republicans in tight races have appeared on the defensive, releasing ads downplaying their antiabortion stances.

Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 West is expected to play defensive back at the collegiate level.

Stephen Means, cleveland, 14 June 2022 The three picks were impressive given that Maxwell doesn’t play defensive back.

Kassidy Hill, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English defensif, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvus, from Latin dēfensus, past participle of dēfendere "to ward off, defend" + -īvus -ive

Noun

Middle English defensif "something acting as protection," borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvum, noun derivative from neuter of dēfensīvus defensive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1585, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

defensive 1 of 2

adjective

de·fen·sive di-ˈfen-siv How to pronounce defensive (audio)

: serving or meant to defend or protect

a defensive structure

: relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring

a defensive play

: showing a dislike for criticism

She got defensive about my suggestion.

defensive

2 of 2

noun

: a position or attitude that is meant to defend

The criticism put him on the defensive.

单词	defensive
释义	defensive 1 of 2 adjective de·fen·sive di-ˈfen(t)-siv ˈdē-ˌfen(t)- 1 : serving to defend or protect defensive fortifications 2 a : devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack defensive behavior He became defensive when I brought up his spending habits. b sports : of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest a player with good defensive skills made a brilliant defensive play also : of or relating to a team that is not in possession of the ball or puck a defensive lineman 3 card games a : valuable in defensive play a defensive card in bridge b : designed to keep an opponent from being the highest bidder a defensive bid defensively adverb defensiveness noun defensive 2 of 2 noun : a position serving to protect or defend : a defensive position Phrases on the defensive : in the state or condition of being prepared or required to defend against attack or criticism keeping his political opponent on the defensive Synonyms Adjective protective self-protective Noun guard See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective The city began building a defensive wall around its borders. The government decided to join a defensive alliance with several other nations. I was surprised by his defensive reaction to my suggestion. There's no need to get so defensive. I was only making a suggestion. When we asked her about the mistakes, she became defensive. The coach has a strong defensive strategy. Noun their unexpectedly harsh words put him on the defensive See More Recent Examples on the Web Adjective Along with his father's departure, the Hoosiers also lost defensive coordinator Charlton Warren, who left for North Carolina. Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Sep. 2022 Kacy Rodgers, the run-game defensive coordinator for the Bucs, elaborated on Bowles’ observation. Mark Inabinett \| Minabinett@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 The former Oklahoma defensive coordinator left his similar job at Clemson to return to Norman. Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 The Saints also have a new head coach with former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen taking over. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2022 One of Oregon’s true freshmen who’s turned heads during fall camp is defensive back Khamari Terrell. James Crepea \| The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2022 In the interview, which serves as the book’s epilogue, Mr. Koecher argues that the American stance in the Cold War was mistaken or disingenuous—that Moscow’s actions were fundamentally defensive and the U.S. was never their real target. Edward Kosner, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Still, Trump had around him in the White House a coterie of lawyers who were defensive of the FBI and Justice Department, particularly former White House counsels Pat Cipollone and Don McGahn. Anchorage Daily News, 20 Aug. 2022 Still, Trump had around him in the White House a coterie of lawyers who were defensive of the FBI and Justice Department, particularly former White House counsels Pat Cipollone and Don McGahn. BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 Noun The Longhorns missed on the likes of Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel was famously offered a scholarship only to play defensive back. Michael Casagrande \| Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 8 Sep. 2022 For opponents, the Cardinals’ ability to maintain possession and attack from all angles puts them on the defensive from the onset. Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 Even with this loss, Bluebell has put Richemont on the defensive. Carol Ryan, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 The counteroffensive there is one of the first for Ukrainian troops that have been largely on the defensive. Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2022 But accompanying the hiring was a burst of inflation that hit a 40-year peak this summer, crushing consumer sentiment and putting the administration on the defensive to show how its policies are helping the economy. Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 Nationally, Republicans in tight races have appeared on the defensive, releasing ads downplaying their antiabortion stances. Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 West is expected to play defensive back at the collegiate level. Stephen Means, cleveland, 14 June 2022 The three picks were impressive given that Maxwell doesn’t play defensive back. Kassidy Hill, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English defensif, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvus, from Latin dēfensus, past participle of dēfendere "to ward off, defend" + -īvus -ive Noun Middle English defensif "something acting as protection," borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensīvum, noun derivative from neuter of dēfensīvus defensive entry 1 First Known Use Adjective 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun circa 1585, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing defensive defensive medicine self-defensive on the defensive defensive medicine self-defensive on the defensive Kids Definition defensive 1 of 2 adjective de·fen·sive di-ˈfen-siv 1 : serving or meant to defend or protect a defensive structure 2 : relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring a defensive play 3 : showing a dislike for criticism She got defensive about my suggestion. defensive 2 of 2 noun : a position or attitude that is meant to defend The criticism put him on the defensive. Medical Definition defensive adjective de·fen·sive di-ˈfen(t)-siv ˈdē-ˌ 1 : serving to defend or protect (as the ego) face-saving is a common defensive reaction Psychology Today 2 : devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack defensive behavior Legal Definition defensive adjective de·fen·sive 1 : serving to defend or as part of a defense a defensive pleading 2 : devoted to resisting or preventing aggressive actions a defensive recapitalization…to escape a takeover attempt Barbara Franklin defensive 1 of 2 adjective as in protective intended to resist or prevent attack or aggression a defensive alliance among the small nations against the aggressors Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance protective self-protective preventive deterrent secure safe Antonyms & Near Antonyms offensive aggressive combative belligerent warlike militant pugnacious bellicose contentious quarrelsome truculent scrappy in-your-face See More defensive 2 of 2 noun as in guard a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack their unexpectedly harsh words put him on the defensive Synonyms & Similar Words guard lookout alert watch qui vive Antonyms & Near Antonyms offensive
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defensive

adjective

noun

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing defensive

Kids Definition

adjective

noun

Medical Definition

adjective

Legal Definition

adjective

adjective

noun