on the offensive
- attackingActively engaging offensively
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- advancingMoving in forward direction
- chargingRestoring electrical power
- strikingNoticeably impressive
assault · pushing · forward · blitz · onslaught · initiative · proactive · militant · combative · storming · raiding · surging · thrust · invasion · warpath · predatory · pursuing · relentless
military/tactical posture
on the offensiveon the defensive
Guarding against criticism or attack
defensive · defending · retreating · on the back foot · under siege
interpersonal/social stance
on the offensiveon the defensive
Guarding against criticism or attack
backing down · conciliatory · standing down · apologetic · yielding
initiative and control
on the offensivereactive
Tending to respond
on the back foot · responding · behind the curve · reacting · counterpunching