defensively

• defencively (archaic, nonstandard)

From defensive +‎ -ly.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɛnsɪvli/

• Audio (US):

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defensively (comparative more defensively, superlative most defensively)

1. In a defensive manner.
   • 1993, Black Belt, volume 31, number 1, page 48:

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

   • 2019 September 10, Phil McNulty, “'England horribly fallible in defence' against Kosovo in Euro 2020 qualifying”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     England, defensively, were not good enough - nowhere near the standard that would be acceptable at the highest international level.

   • 2020, Sophie Kinsella, Love Your Life, Random House:

     It's fine. I think I could be ... semitarian, maybe? Half vegetarian? It's a thing,' he adds, a little defensively