defensive

/dɪˈfɛnsɪv/

/dɪˈfɛnsɪv/

Other forms: defensives

Someone on the defensive is concerned with justifying their actions or words. They have a defensive attitude as they try to protect themselves.

If you know that to defend is to protect, you have an idea what defensive means. When a person is acting defensive, they're trying to protect or justify themselves. People who are insecure or guilty tend to act defensive. Also, defensive players in football try to prevent the other side from scoring, just like defensive military strategies try to protect something. When someone has a defensive attitude, or is forced to defend something, we also say they're "on the defensive."

Definitions of defensive

1. noun

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

   type of:

   attitude, mental attitude

   a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
2. adjective

   attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing
   synonyms: justificative, justificatory

   apologetic, excusatory

   offering or expressing apology
3. adjective

   intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack
   “defensive weapons”

   “a defensive stance”

   synonyms:

   antiaircraft

   designed for defense from a surface position against air attack

   antisubmarine

   defensive against enemy submarines

   antitank

   designed for defense against armored vehicles

   defending

   attempting to or designed to prevent an opponent from winning or scoring

   en garde

   (fencing) in a defensive stance

   protective

   intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind

   antonyms:

   offensive

   for the purpose of attack rather than defense

   aggressive

   having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends

   hostile

   characterized by enmity or ill will

   antipersonnel

   designed to inflict death or personal injury rather than material destruction

   assaultive, attacking

   disposed to attack

   hit-and-run, tip-and-run

   designed for or consisting of a brief attack followed by a quick escape

   incursive, invading, invasive

   involving invasion or aggressive attack

   marauding, predatory, raiding

   characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding

   on the offensive

   actively attacking