defensive

¹de·fen·sive

adj \di-ˈfen(t)-siv, ˈdē-ˌ\

Definition of DEFENSIVE

1

: serving to defend or protect <defensive fortifications>

2

a : devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack <defensive behavior> b : of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest <a player with good defensive skills>

3

a : valuable in defensive play <a defensive card in bridge> b : designed to keep an opponent from being the highest bidder <a defensive bid>

— de·fen·sive·ly adverb

— de·fen·sive·ness noun

Examples of DEFENSIVE

1. The city began building a defensive wall around its borders.
2. The government decided to join a defensive alliance with several other nations.
3. I was surprised by his defensive reaction to my suggestion.
4. There's no need to get so defensive. I was only making a suggestion.
5. When we asked her about the mistakes, she became defensive.
6. The coach has a strong defensive strategy.

First Known Use of DEFENSIVE

14th century

Related to DEFENSIVE

Synonyms: protective, self-protective

Antonyms: offensive

Related Words: deterrent, preventive; safe, secure

Near Antonyms: aggressive, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, in-your-face, militant, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, warlike

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