defensively

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.

That matters because households without strong protections tend to save defensively, not spend confidently.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

He wasn’t told what resulted in his termination, but said that during his last ride, he had to drive defensively to avoid crashing into a vehicle that was merging recklessly on the freeway.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

But, on top of that, retail investors have been acting defensively since the start of the Iran war.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

A draft seen by AFP on Monday no longer mentions authorization to use force -- even defensively.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

“Jen said the stuff from the computer was true,” Luke said defensively.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix