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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. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defensiveDefensive Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defensive

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   Learn the meaning, synonyms, examples, and history of the word defensive as an adjective and a noun. Find out how to use defensive in different contexts, such as sports, games, and psychology.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › defensiveDEFENSIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › defensive

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   Learn the meaning of defensive as an adjective and a noun in English, with synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples. Find out how defensive can describe something that protects, something that is sensitive, or something that is in sports.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › defensiveDEFENSIVE Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › defensive

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   Defensive means serving to defend, protective, or excessively concerned with guarding against criticism or injury. It can also be a noun meaning a position or attitude of defense. Learn more about the word history, idioms, and related terms of defensive.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › defensiveDefensive - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › defensive

   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.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › defensiveDEFENSIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › defensive

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, synonyms, and usage of the word 'defensive' in British and American English. Find out how to use 'defensive' as an adjective, noun, or adverb in different contexts and examples.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › defensiveDefensive - definition of defensive by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › defensive

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   Defensive means intended or appropriate for defending, or sensitive to the threat of criticism or injury to one's ego. Find synonyms, antonyms, idioms, translations and usage examples of defensive in different contexts.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitiondefensive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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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.