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.

Van Dijk largely stayed in the middle of the defence, venturing out less often than his defensive partner.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

In a “risk-on” market, investors rush to buy up stocks that had been especially beaten down during prior bouts of defensive posturing, noted Cantor Fitzgerald’s C.J.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

The resolution, sponsored by the Gulf state of Bahrain, “strongly encourages” member states to “coordinate efforts, defensive in nature,” to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

The AI start-up added that Project Glasswing is “an urgent attempt to put these capabilities to work for defensive purposes.”

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

But off camera, his confidence was paper-thin, and he could be quickly thrown on the defensive.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge