defensively

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defensively

/dɪˈfɛnsɪvli/ UK

adverb more defensively · most defensively · defencively

In a defensive manner. This is a particularly disruptive tactic if the opponent also prefers an offensive style and has difficulty fighting defensively or counteroffensively.

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: defensibly, undefensively, defencively, indefensively, counteroffensively, protensively, offensively, protectively, nondefensively, protectingly, inoffensively, defencelessly, protectedly, guardedly, pretensively, defenselessly

Translations

Every language

adv in a defensive manner

Español	defensivamente
Português	defensivamente
Français	défensivement
Italiano	difensivamente
Ελληνικά	αμυντικά amyntiká

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MLA

"defensively." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/defensively. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

defensively. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/defensively

Chicago

"defensively." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/defensively.

BibTeX

@misc{defensively_2026,
  title = {defensively},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/defensively},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}