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.
“But each disaster is a teachable moment, and I’m afraid the defensive tone of this report suggests a limited institutional capacity to learn from bitter experience.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Had they held on a couple of minutes more, this game would have been viewed much differently - Guardiola showing a new string to his bow with a defensive masterclass against a title rival.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
And they see “longer-term upside,” given that even as the market slid in March, defensive stocks were underperformers meaning investors were taking that pullback in stride.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
“In an environment where inflation is accompanied by geopolitical tensions, high energy prices, and growth risks, gold still has a strong foundation to maintain its appeal as a defensive asset,” she says.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
It didn’t escape Aru that Boo sounded a little defensive.
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
Vocabulary lists containing defensive
ASVAB Word Knowledge
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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Tone and Point of View, List 1
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