Advertisement
Advertisement
defensive
[dih-fen-siv]
adjective
serving to defend; protective.
defensive armament.
made or carried on for the purpose of resisting attack.
defensive treaty;
a defensive attitude.
of or relating to defense.
(of stocks, securities, etc.)
able to provide moderately steady growth with minimal risk.
The bank has put a large percentage of its assets in defensive rather than growth stocks.
considered stable and relatively safe for investment, especially during a decline in the economy.
excessively concerned with guarding against the real or imagined threat of criticism, injury to one's ego, or exposure of one's shortcomings.
noun
a position or attitude of defense.
to be on the defensive about one's mistakes.
Obsolete.something that serves to defend.
defensive
/ ɪˈɛԲɪ /
adjective
intended, suitable, or done for defence, as opposed to offence
rejecting criticisms of oneself or covering up one's failings
noun
a position of defence
in an attitude or position of defence, as in being ready to reject criticism
Other Word Forms
- defensively adverb
- defensiveness noun
- nondefensive adjective
- nondefensively adverb
- overdefensive adjective
- overdefensively adverb
- semidefensive adjective
- semidefensively adverb
- undefensive adjective
- undefensively adverb
- ˈڱԲԱ noun
- ˈڱԲ adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of defensive1
Idioms and Phrases
Example Sentences
Leinster led 19-0 at half-time and Conan believes the strong defensive effort to shut out South African visitors Bulls after racing into the lead helped his side over the line in the second half.
And when Leicester skipper Julian Montoya was shown a yellow for a high tackle on Ted Hill his side were forced into defensive mode to see out the half.
Stubbs' footwork had looked suspect to the Aussie left-arm quick round the wicket and he was bowled by one which nipped back through his defensive prod and pad to hit the top of off.
Other Democrats should pay attention to both Newsom and these polls — and get out of their defensive crouch over immigration or the protests.
Mack was working with Chargers executive director of player performance Ben Herbert for weeks before the team started their offseason regimen, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said.
Advertisement
Related Words
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse