on defense
idiom
sports
: on the part of a team that defends the goal
She began the season on defense, but her coach later put her on offense.
Examples of on defense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Given a lack of numbers, Darlington said he was forced to play Moore on defense as well, inserting him at defensive back.
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Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025
The bill would extend and make permanent Trump’s 2017 income tax cuts, while expanding spending on defense and border security.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 May 2025
The Knicks chose this moment—maybe they were winded by the hot and heavy game-long pace—to lose their organization on defense, forgetting to guard the three-point line that represented the Pacers’ only chance to catch up.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
And as the Fever made a late run in Tuesday’s game against Atlanta, Griner helped calm her teammates on the bench and on defense.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for on defense
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Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025
The bill would extend and make permanent Trump’s 2017 income tax cuts, while expanding spending on defense and border security.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 May 2025
The Knicks chose this moment—maybe they were winded by the hot and heavy game-long pace—to lose their organization on defense, forgetting to guard the three-point line that represented the Pacers’ only chance to catch up.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
And as the Fever made a late run in Tuesday’s game against Atlanta, Griner helped calm her teammates on the bench and on defense.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for on defense
Cite this Entry
“On defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20defense. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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