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

For defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, who has so far evaded the flu, the threat of getting sick had him knocking on wood.

From Los Angeles Times

While these reports do not necessarily translate to control of an area, it is indicative of how stretched Ukraine’s defensive line has become.

From BBC

Dr El-Daly agreed that Ms Reilly did not sustain any defensive injuries, meaning the attack was either "quick and ferocious" or she was "not in control of her body", which is a feature of epilepsy.

From BBC

As a result, he dominated news coverage, looking bolder and badder than ever and leaving the Democrats looking like sputtering, defensive, fact-checking, umbrage-filled morality police.

From Salon

For one, it is bound by law to sell defensive weapons to the island.

From BBC

Related Words

• opposing