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Definition of Defensive in English :

Define Defensive in English

Defensive meaning in English

Meaning of Defensive in English

Pronunciation of Defensive in English

Defensive pronunciation in English

Pronounce Defensive in English

Defensive

see synonyms of defensive

Noun

1. defensive, defensive attitude

an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase on the defensive')

Adjective

2. defensive

intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack

Example Sentences:
'defensive weapons'
'a defensive stance'

3. defensive, justificative, justificatory

attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Defensive

see synonyms of defensive
adjective
1. 
intended, suitable, or done for defence, as opposed to offence
2. 
rejecting criticisms of oneself or covering up one's failings
noun
3. 
a position of defence
4.  on the defensive

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Defensive

see synonyms of defensive
adjective
1. 
defending
2. 
of or for defense
3. 
designating or of the side that defends a goal, basket, etc. in a contest
4.  Psychology
constantly feeling under attack and hence quick to justify one's actions
noun
5.  Obsolete
something that defends
6. 
a position of defense
chiefly in the phrase on the defensive, in a condition of resisting or being ready to resist attack or danger

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Defensive

see synonyms of defensive
adj.
1. Intended or appropriate for defending; protective.
2.
a. Intended to withstand or deter aggression or attack: a defensive weapons system; defensive behavior.
b. Of or relating to the effort to prevent an opponent from gaining points in a game or athletic contest.
c. Performed so as to avoid risk, danger, or legal liability: defensive driving; defensive medicine.
3. Of or relating to defense.
4. Psychology Constantly protecting oneself from criticism, exposure of one's shortcomings, or other real or perceived threats to the ego.
n.
1. A means of defense.
2. An attitude or position of defense.

The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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