You use defensive to describe things that are intended to protect someone or something.
The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.
The union leaders were pushed into a more defensive position by the return of a RepublicanCongress in November.
2. adjective
Someone who is defensive is behaving in a way that shows they feel unsure or threatened.
Like their children, parents are often defensive about their private lives.
She heard the blustering, defensive note in his voice and knew that he was ashamed.
Synonyms: oversensitive, prickly, uptight [informal], thin-skinned More Synonyms of defensive
defensivelyadverb
'Oh, I know, I know,' said Kate, defensively.
defensivenessuncountable noun
He felt a certain defensiveness about his position.
3.
See on the defensive
4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
In sports, defensive play is play that is intended to prevent your opponent from scoring goals or points against you.
I'd always played a defensive game, waiting for my opponent to make a mistake.
defensivelyadverb [ADVERB after verb]
Mexico did not play defensively.
Synonyms: in self-defence, in defence, suspiciously, on the defensive More Synonyms of defensive
More Synonyms of defensive
defensive in British English
(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
3.
a position of defence
4. on the defensive
Derived forms
defensively (deˈfensively)
adverb
defensiveness (deˈfensiveness)
noun
defensive in American English
(diˈfɛnsɪv; dɪˈfɛnsɪv)
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
Derived forms
defensively (deˈfensively)
adverb
defensiveness (deˈfensiveness)
noun
Word origin
ME & OFr defensif < ML defensivus < L defensus: see defense
Examples of 'defensive' in a sentence
defensive
You would need a tactically intelligent defensive midfielder and here options are imperfect.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The rest string themselves across the pitch in a defensive line.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We need to this week work on our defensive play and not conceding is a big thing for us.
The Sun (2016)
The defensive record 'is a point we have to work on.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In contrast, a failure puts our country in a weaker defensive position.
The Sun (2017)
They also kept another clean sheet, maintaining their impressive defensive record of conceding only four goals here in eight matches.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Note that I am being slightly defensive about the lolling.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I haven't got anything to be defensive about.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are often made to feel quite defensive of our reasons for doing things, as there is such pressure put on women by other women.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some of these people are feeling scared, defensive and deeply traumatised by the criticism and abuse we have been subjected to over the past two years.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The other area of his armoury that is unrivalled is his defensive position play.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is this approach that makes other defensive sides of the past pale into insignificance.
The Sun (2012)
There was no need for the minister to be defensive about his grasp of grammar.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The team who have boasted the best defensive record for the past three seasons now look shaky.
The Sun (2013)
It was a strong defensive position but made retreat difficult.
Christianity Today (2000)
And the defensive midfielder hopes to fly under the radar.
The Sun (2014)
This helped other players gauge where they needed to be in the defensive line more quickly.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He moves in so smoothly and has good defensive play.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Most feel defensive about losing the urge.
The Sun (2011)
And they had the best defensive record in the league.
The Sun (2016)
It still conveys the impressive power of such defensive positions.
Begg, Ean & Rich, Deike On the Trail of Merlin - a guide to the Celtic mystery tradition (1991)
He made a lot of offensive and defensive plays that were important.
The Sun (2009)
Does he feel defensive when it comes to talking about himself as a musician?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The less said about defensive indiscipline the better.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is a slightly defensive position.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
And he has warned his back-up defensive line to be fully focused.
The Sun (2014)
Line them up in a different formation and they'll make defensive walls.
The Sun (2010)
The statistics reflect that: a really poor defensive record at home.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I can't see there being a better central defensive pair.
The Sun (2012)
But as a defensive midfielder I admire his gritty determination.
The Sun (2014)
Much maligned for much of the season, the Nigerian coped well when drafted into a central defensive role.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He surely has a better chance than of changing his controversial image - or of me being the best defensive midfielder in the Bundesliga.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
defensive
British English: defensive ADJECTIVE
You use defensive to describe things that are intended to protect someone or something.
The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.
American English: defensive
Brazilian Portuguese: defensivo
Chinese: 防御性的
European Spanish: defensivo
French: défensif
German: defensiv
Italian: difensivo
Japanese: 防御用の
Korean: 방어용의
European Portuguese: defensivo
Latin American Spanish: defensivo
All related terms of 'defensive'
defensive back
a defender positioned off the line of scrimmage for the purpose of covering pass receivers and tackling runners who elude linemen and linebackers
defensive role
If you have a role in a situation or in society , you have a particular position and function in it.
defensive medicine
the practice by a doctor of ordering extensive , often unnecessary tests in order to minimize liability if accused of negligence
defensive strength
Your strength is the physical energy that you have, which gives you the ability to perform various actions, such as lifting or moving things.
defensive capabilities
If you have the capability or the capabilities to do something, you have the ability or the qualities that are necessary to do it.
on the defensive
If someone is on the defensive , they are trying to protect themselves or their interests because they feel unsure or threatened .
self-defence
Self-defence is the use of force to protect yourself against someone who is attacking you.
Chinese translation of 'defensive'
defensive
(dɪˈfɛnsɪv)
adj
[weapons, measures]防御的 (fángyù de)
[behaviour, manner]防卫(衛)的 (fángwèi de)
n
on the defensive采(採)取守势(勢) (cǎiqǔ shǒushì)
1 (adjective)
Definition
intended for defence
hastily organized defensive measures
Synonyms
protective
He is very protective towards his sisters.
guarding
defending
opposing
shielding
safeguarding
watchful
on the defensive
on guard
2 (adjective)
Definition
guarding against criticism or exposure of one's failings
She heard the blustering, defensive note in his voice.