defensively
adverb
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L188662 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /dɪˈfɛnsɪvli/
adv
Etymology: Etymology tree English defensive Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English defensively From defensive + -ly.
- 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.”
“England, defensively, were not good enough - nowhere near the standard that would be acceptable at the highest international level.”