defensive
Meant for protection
Defensive describes protection against attack or criticism.
A defensive wall blocks invaders; a defensive posture guards against blows.
In sports, defensive play focuses on preventing the opponent from scoring rather than scoring yourself.
When someone becomes defensive in conversation, they react as if under attack, often deflecting criticism or making excuses: Don't get so defensive—I was just asking a question.
On the defensive means in a state of anticipating or responding to criticism.
Handheld defensive armor
- armorProtective combat covering
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- wallVertical enclosing structure
- fenceBoundary structure between properties
safeguard · security · buffer · shelter · sanctuary · refuge · haven · deterrent
Wary and restrained
- resistantWithstanding external forces
- skepticalInclined to question claims
- waryGuardedly alert
- distrustfulLacking faith in others
cautious · reactive · touchy · prickly · oversensitive · closed-off · standoffish · aloof
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- bunkerReinforced subterranean stronghold
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
- garrisonStationed military force
entrenchment · rampart · parapet · redoubt · stronghold · citadel · bastion · bulwark
Bounded area designation
- man-to-manDirect and honest
- pressApply force downward
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- tackleGear or takedown
interception · marking · rebound · clearance · steal · turnover · goalkeeper · linebacker
shield
Handheld defensive armor
- armorProtective combat covering
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- wallVertical enclosing structure
fence · safeguard · security · buffer · shelter · sanctuary · refuge · haven · deterrent · countermeasure
guarded
Wary and restrained
distrustful · cautious · reactive · touchy · prickly · oversensitive · closed-off · standoffish · aloof · evasive
fortification
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- bunkerReinforced subterranean stronghold
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
garrison · entrenchment · rampart · parapet · redoubt · stronghold · citadel · bastion · bulwark · artillery
zone
Bounded area designation
- man-to-manDirect and honest
- pressApply force downward
- blockSolid mass, or impede
tackle · interception · marking · rebound · clearance · steal · turnover · goalkeeper · linebacker · cornerback
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- easily offendedtouchy, sensitive, prickly, testy, huffy
- offendedoffended, insulted, slighted, affronted, indignant
- protectivenessguarding, shielding, sheltering, protector, guardian
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
- tacticsmaneuver, counter-attack, gambit, ambush, counterstrike
defensiveoffensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
aggressive · attacking · on the offensive · assault · attack
defensiveopen
Not closed
receptive · nondefensive · accepting · vulnerable · secure
- on the defensiveGuarding against criticism or attack
- defensive lineBlockers facing the offense
- defensive tackleInterior line position
- defensive mechanismsPsychological self-protection methods
- defensive drivingProactive safe vehicle operation
- defensive warfareCombat focused on resistance
defensive medicine, defensible, indefensible, defensively, defensiveness, defensibly, defensibility, defensive back