Antonyms for defensive

Grammar : Adj

Spell : dih-fen-siv

Phonetic Transcription : dɪˈfɛn sɪv

Definition of defensive

Origin : c.1400 (adj. and noun), from French défensif (14c.), from Medieval Latin defensivus, from defens-, past participle stem of Latin defendere (see defend). Of persons, "alert to reject criticism," from 1919. Related: Defensively; defensiveness.

adj protective, watchful

Example sentences :

But for the most part one side in battle is on the offensive; the other on the defensive.
Extract from : « Camps, Quarters and Casual Places » by Archibald Forbes

But the Americans and their abettors were not content with defensive law.
Extract from : « The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson » by Robert Southey

We are not all arrayed in two opposite ranks; the offensive and the defensive.
Extract from : « Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit » by Charles Dickens

I want our Volunteers to be more than a defensive organisation.
Extract from : « Changing Winds » by St. John G. Ervine

We must act on the defensive this winter, till reinforcements arrive.
Extract from : « The Fall of British Tyranny » by John Leacock

The Iroquois had shields of hide stretched on hoop for defensive armor.
Extract from : « Harper's Young People, July 6, 1880 » by Various

That he fenced only on the defensive, and he wondered what might his motive be.
Extract from : « The Tavern Knight » by Rafael Sabatini

And thus you will have at once defensive armour for the shins and stockings for the feet.
Extract from : « On Horsemanship » by Xenophon

"That's all right," she declared with defensive inconsequence.
Extract from : « The Market-Place » by Harold Frederic

He sprang to his feet, prepared to be instantly on the defensive.
Extract from : « The Fiery Totem » by Argyll Saxby

Synonyms for defensive

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019