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
see also:
Cite this Entry
“Defensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defensive. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.
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