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.

Once on the offensive, in most places across Myanmar the resistance is now on the defensive.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

But to nearly everyone’s astonishment, Mr. Niemann, the 19-year-old John McEnroe of chess, has put the normally unflappable Mr. Carlsen, playing the white pieces, on the defensive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

He’s staying on the defensive until oil flows normalize, betting on companies with strong balance sheets and those involved in the AI infrastructure buildout, such as John Deere, Caterpillar, and HVAC-maker Johnson Controls.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 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

By the middle of 1985, the KGB had thrown the CIA on the defensive.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau