DEFENSIVES Synonyms: 6 Similar and Opposite Words

defensives

noun

plural of defensive

as in guards

a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack their unexpectedly harsh words put him on the defensive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

offensives

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defensives There remains a rotation underway – financials over tech , value over growth , defensives over high-beta stocks – simply not enough to hold the indexes harmless. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensives

Noun

Three of the jail guards sustained minor injuries and scratches, Bland said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Health officials also advised residents to place draft guards underneath doors, make sure exterior doors closed tightly and keep doors and unscreened windows closed, especially while sleeping.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of guards

Noun

Brunton told The Times that the county was launching a pilot program (somewhat literally) to use helicopters as fire lookouts.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Hiking trails lead to lookouts, while paddleboards allow for spontaneous exploration of the private island's coastline.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of lookouts

Browse Nearby Words

defensive

defensives

defer

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Defensives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensives. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of defensives

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes