defensive

[ dih-fen-siv ]

adjective

1. serving to defend; protective:

   defensive armament.

2. made or carried on for the purpose of resisting attack:

   defensive treaty;

   a defensive attitude.

3. of or relating to defense.
4. (of stocks, securities, etc.)
   1. able to provide moderately steady growth with minimal risk:

      The bank has put a large percentage of its assets in defensive rather than growth stocks.

   2. considered stable and relatively safe for investment, especially during a decline in the economy.
5. excessively concerned with guarding against the real or imagined threat of criticism, injury to one's ego, or exposure of one's shortcomings.

noun

1. a position or attitude of defense:

   to be on the defensive about one's mistakes.

2. Obsolete. something that serves to defend.

defensive

/ dɪˈfɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. intended, suitable, or done for defence, as opposed to offence
2. rejecting criticisms of oneself or covering up one's failings

noun

1. a position of defence
2. on the defensive
   in an attitude or position of defence, as in being ready to reject criticism

Derived Forms

• deˈfensiveness, noun
• deˈfensively, adverb

Other Words From

• de·fen·sive·ly adverb
• de·fen·sive·ness noun
• non·de·fen·sive adjective
• non·de·fen·sive·ly adverb
• o·ver·de·fen·sive adjective
• o·ver·de·fen·sive·ly adverb
• sem·i·de·fen·sive adjective
• sem·i·de·fen·sive·ly adverb
• un·de·fen·sive adjective
• un·de·fen·sive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of defensive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin dēfēnsīvus ( defense, -ive ); replacing Middle English defensif, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin, as above

Idioms and Phrases

see on the defensive .

Example Sentences

Mr Williams, a defensive player from Georgia, was a college star at Georgia Southern University before being drafted by the National Football League’s Detroit Lions.

From BBC

They corrected a lot of their defensive issues, sprinting back in transition and cleaning up Memphis misses off the glass.

From Los Angeles Times

She didn’t return the one against the Patriots for a score, but it did set up a touchdown pass from Emily Wagner to Meadow Moore in the first half that put Birmingham on the defensive.

From Los Angeles Times

Chargers defensive line coach Mike Elston and safeties coach Chris O’Leary, who both coached at Notre Dame during Hart’s career, knew the 6-foot-2, 207-pound prospect brought unique and necessary toughness to the position and lobbied for him in the scouting process before the Chargers drafted him in the fifth round.

From Los Angeles Times

“They’re on fire right now, as far as that connection, and we know they’re gonna throw the ball,” Fulton said, “and that’s what you live for as a defensive back.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• opposing