defense mechanism

noun

Definition of defense mechanism

1 : an often unconscious mental process (such as repression) that makes possible compromise solutions to personal problems

2 : a defensive reaction by an organism

Examples of defense mechanism in a Sentence

She is projecting her anger on you as a defense mechanism. the cell's normal defense mechanisms against infection

Recent Examples on the Web

Douglas Guilbeault, Joshua Becker, and Damon Centola at the University of Pennsylvania set out to design an experiment that could test whether simple signals trip our mental defense mechanisms. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Being reminded of your political bubble can stop you from breaking out," 3 Sep. 2018 Stress is one of evolution’s greatest tricks and our brain’s best defense mechanism. — Jeff Stibel, USA TODAY, "How to use your brain to live a long life," 12 June 2018 Those dorsal spikes are a venomous defense mechanism. — Howard Cohen, miamiherald, "Wanted dead, not alive: the lionfish. You can make $5,000 if you get rid of them," 20 June 2018 During his year and a half as President, Trump has waged a campaign to erode public trust in some of the country's most important institutions -- the Department of Justice and the FBI -- as a self-defense mechanism. — Z. Byron Wolf, CNN, "Trump is winning his effort to demonize Mueller," 29 May 2018 The art of the non-answer was undoubtedly developed as a defense mechanism — and it was perfected by Derek Jeter during his tenure with the Yankees — but every now and again players break out of their clichés and actually say something interesting. — New York Times, "N.B.A. Stars Talk a Good Game in the Playoffs," 24 Apr. 2018 Marlo uses sarcasm as a defense mechanism, but we, as viewers, keep getting a peek behind that mask, repeatedly. — Michael O'sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "With her new movie 'Tully,' Diablo Cody delves into the dark side of parenting," 4 May 2018 The drug-resistant bacteria then takes over, and even passes on its superior defense mechanisms to other germs. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "The CDC Has Detected Rare "Nightmare Bacteria" in 27 States," 6 Apr. 2018 During famine times, one of the body’s defense mechanisms, some experts say, is to slow down metabolism to hold onto every calorie. — Jeffrey Gettleman, New York Times, "In the Land of the Skinny, People are Getting Fat," 27 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defense mechanism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.