defensively
With raised shields
Defensively describes acting in a manner meant to protect or guard against attack or criticism.
A country arms itself defensively; a driver drives defensively to anticipate hazards.
When someone responds defensively, they react as if under attack, often with justifications or denials: She got defensive when I asked about the missing money.
In sports, playing defensively prioritizes preventing the opponent from scoring over aggressive offense.
With watchful caution
- guardedlyWith protective caution
- carefullyWith deliberate attention
- hesitantlyWith uncertain manner
- tentativelyWithout full commitment
circumspectly · prudently · vigilantly · skeptically · distrustfully · reservedly · apprehensively · evasively
Steadied against force
- positionedSet in location
- crouchedBent knees, lowered body
- poisedCalm and controlled
- stanceStanding posture or viewpoint
guarded · retreating · parrying · blocking · countering · shielding · covering · warding
Defending one's own actions
- rationalizedInvented justification for
- excusedReleased from duty
- protestedExpressed strong disagreement
- bristledStiffened in irritation
snapped · retorted · replied · reacted · explained · responded · wounded · hurt
Sealed off defensively
- fortifiedMade more resistant
- entrenchedFirmly established, resistant to change
- garrisonedStationed troops at
- bunkeredStuck in golf hazard
shielded · armored · walled · reinforced · blockaded · guarded · secured · buttressed
Impeding forward progress
- tacklingForcefully stopping an opponent
- markingIndicating with symbols
- interceptingCatching en route
- goalkeeperNet-defending player
goaltending · backcourt · zone · man-to-man · press · coverage · shutout · rebounding
warily
With watchful caution
- guardedlyWith protective caution
- carefullyWith deliberate attention
- hesitantlyWith uncertain manner
tentatively · circumspectly · prudently · vigilantly · skeptically · distrustfully · reservedly · apprehensively · evasively · noncommittally
braced
Steadied against force
- positionedSet in location
- crouchedBent knees, lowered body
- poisedCalm and controlled
stance · guarded · retreating · parrying · blocking · countering · shielding · covering · warding · fending
self-justifying
Defending one's own actions
- rationalizedInvented justification for
- excusedReleased from duty
- protestedExpressed strong disagreement
bristled · snapped · retorted · replied · reacted · explained · responded · wounded · hurt · insecure
barricaded
Sealed off defensively
- fortifiedMade more resistant
- entrenchedFirmly established, resistant to change
- garrisonedStationed troops at
bunkered · shielded · armored · walled · reinforced · blockaded · guarded · secured · buttressed · ramparts
blocking
Impeding forward progress
- tacklingForcefully stopping an opponent
- markingIndicating with symbols
- interceptingCatching en route
goalkeeper · goaltending · backcourt · zone · man-to-man · press · coverage · shutout · rebounding · defending
- adverbsquickly, slowly, very, really, now
- mental adverbsmentally, cognitively, consciously, unconsciously, subconsciously
- cautiouslycarefully, warily, gingerly, guardedly, prudently
defensivelyoffensively
In an insulting way
aggressively · on the offensive · combatively · belligerently · proactively
defensivelyopenly
Without hiding anything
receptively · welcomingly · vulnerably · candidly · transparently
defensivelyaggressively
In hostile, confrontational manner
boldly · assertively · proactively · forcefully · daringly
- 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