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1. Dictionary

   De·fen·sive

   /dəˈfensiv/

   

   adjective

   • 1. used or intended to defend or protect: "troops in defensive positions" Similar defendingguardingsafeguardingprotectingprotectiveshieldingscreeningwarywatchfulavertingwithstandingopposingOpposite attacking
   • ▪ (in sports) relating to or intended as defense: "a defensive player"
   • 2. very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism: "he was very defensive about that side of his life" Similar self-justifyingoversensitivethin-skinnedeasily offendedpricklyparanoidneuroticinformal:uptighttwitchyrare:umbrageousOpposite confident

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French défensif, -ive, from medieval Latin defensivus, from Latin defens- ‘warded off’, from the verb defendere (see defend).

   Scrabble Points: 16

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › defensiveDEFENSIVE | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › defensive

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   DEFENSIVE meaning: 1. quick to protect yourself from being criticized: 2. A defensive player in a sports team tries…. Learn more.

3. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › defensivedefensive | meaning of defensive in Longman Dictionary of ...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › defensive

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   defensive meaning, definition, what is defensive: used or intended to protect someone or s...: Learn more.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › defensive_1defensive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › defensive_1

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   behaving in a way that shows that you feel that people are criticizing you. Don't ask him about his plans—he just gets defensive. He is extremely defensive about his work. Her manner was oddly defensive, as he hadn't intended any criticism at all.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › defensiveDEFENSIVE - All you need to know about it | Collins English ...

   www.collinsdictionary.com › defensive

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   Definitions of 'defensive' 1. You use defensive to describe things that are intended to protect someone or something. [...] 2. Someone who is defensive is behaving in a way that shows they feel unsure or threatened. [...] 3. In sports, defensive play is play that is intended to prevent your opponent from scoring points against you. [...] More.

6. www.wordreference.com › definition › defensivedefensive - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

   www.wordreference.com › definition › defensive

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   de•fen•sive (di fen′ siv), adj. serving to defend; protective: defensive armament. made or carried on for the purpose of resisting attack: defensive treaty; a defensive attitude. of or pertaining to defense. Business (of stocks, securities, etc.)

7. en.bab.la › dictionary › englishDEFENSIVE - Definition in English - bab.la

   en.bab.la › dictionary › english

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   defensive. volume_up. UK /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/ adjective 1. used or intended to defend or protect defensive barriers (in sport) relating to or intended as defence a defensive player a poor defensive record 2. very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism he was very defensive about that side of his life. phrases. on the defensive. word origin.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › thesaurusDEFENSIVE - 16 Synonyms and Antonyms - Cambridge English

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › thesaurus

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   adjective. These are words and phrases related to defensive. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page. Or, go to the definition of defensive. The troops took up a defensive position. Synonyms. prepared. protective. protecting. safeguarding. vigilant. defending. foiling. forestalling. guarded. heedful. preventive. wary. watchful.