The meaning of DEFENSIVE is serving to defend or protect. How to use defensive in a sentence.

If someone is defensive, the person feels criticized and quickly tries to explain:

1. serving or done for the purpose of resisting attack. 2. of or pertaining to defense. 3. sensitive to the threat of criticism or injury to one's ego. n. 4. a position or attitude of defense: on the …

Defensive is an adjective describing an attitude or behavior aimed at protecting oneself from criticism, harm, or attack. It often implies a reactive stance where actions are taken to guard …

DEFENSIVE definition: 1. quick to protect yourself from being criticized: 2. A defensive player in a sports team tries…. Learn more.

A table featuring defense information for each team in the league based on selected filters.

There are 17 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word defensive, five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Jan 5, 2026 · Measure defensive unit performance with EPA/play, success %, pressure rates, and coverage outcomes.

2 days ago · Who has the best defense in the NFL? Our NFL defense rankings analyze D/ST with our weekly rankings of the best NFL defenses in 2025.

When a person is acting defensive, they're trying to protect or justify themselves. People who are insecure or guilty tend to act defensive. Also, defensive players in football try to prevent the …