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
   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

The Capitals have allowed at least three goals in 10 of 12 games and have repeatedly talked about getting better in their defensive zone.

From Washington Post

University of Puget Sound defensive lineman Peter Ciari missed the rush — and the snarl of the chain saw.

From Washington Post

The Cavaliers held Georgia Tech well below its scoring average in that game, and this time, Virginia began with another defensive surge in the first half.

From Washington Post

One of those players, Jason Pierre-Paul, reiterated calls to re-sign key defensive players.

From Washington Post

Washington had four scorers in double figures, perhaps in part because of a tweak in the starting lineup on Brooks’s end, and on the defensive end the Wizards did what was needed to keep Chicago in check.

From Washington Post

And I need to ask why their truth makes me so defensive, as if my truth is the only truth.

From The Daily Beast

Community activists attack racial bias in policing, so police get defensive?

From The Daily Beast

Nelson wrote a paper at Dartmouth on Standard Oil, which was about as defensive and as deeply researched as you would expect.

From The Daily Beast

I am, as the leader of the minority, the defensive coordinator.

From The Daily Beast

On the staff of every football team, you have an offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator.

From The Daily Beast

Where were those defensive preparations concerning which we were requested to keep silence?

From Project Gutenberg

Both men put themselves at once on the defensive: their blades crossed, but the attitudes were different and characteristic.

From Project Gutenberg

Either: we cannot give you what you ask, so fall back onto the defensive; or, go ahead, we will give you the means.

From Project Gutenberg

The Committee has not overlooked the fact that in some cases this attitude may have been due to a defensive reaction.

From Project Gutenberg

Quickly recovering himself, he stood entirely on the defensive, which his vigorous activity enabled him easily to do.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• opposing