Definition of 'defensive'

Word Frequency

defensive

(dɪfensɪv )

1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

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 Republican Congress 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, neurotic, prickly, uptight [informal] More Synonyms of defensive

defensively adverb

'Oh, I know, I know,' said Kate, defensively.

defensiveness uncountable noun

He felt a certain defensiveness about his position.

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.

defensively adverb [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

Video: pronunciation of 'defensive'

Word Frequency

defensive in British

(dɪˈfɛnsɪv )

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

4. on the defensive

Derived forms

defensively (deˈfensively)

adverb

defensiveness (deˈfensiveness)

noun

Word Frequency

defensive in American

(diˈfɛnsɪv ; dɪˈfɛnsɪv )

adjective

defending

of or for defense

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

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 of 'defensive'

ME & OFr defensif < ML defensivus < L defensus: see defense

Example sentences containing 'defensive'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

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)

Trends of 'defensive'

In Common Usage. defensive is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for '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
Spanish: defensivo

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Nearby words of 'defensive'

Related Terms of 'defensive'

Source

Definition of defensive from the Collins English Dictionary

Reported speech

Reported speech or indirect speech reports something that was said, but does not use the actual words that the speaker uttered. Lynn asked whether Pippa had been to the new shopping mall. Pippa r...