self-defense
Guarding oneself instinctively
Self-defense is protecting yourself from physical attack or harm.
In law, it justifies using force—sometimes deadly force—against an aggressor: She acted in self-defense when she struck him.
The term extends to nations defending against invasion and to verbal contexts: His criticism put her on the defensive, but she mounted a strong self-defense.
Self-defense also names martial arts and combat training: She took a self-defense class.
Japanese unarmed combat discipline
- judoJapanese throwing discipline
- taekwondoKorean striking martial art
- aikidoThrowing art using redirection
- kung fuChinese martial discipline
jiu-jitsu · kickboxing · boxing · wrestling · hapkido · silat · savate · sambo
Able to be defended
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- reasonable forceLegally justified physical intervention
- necessityIndispensable requirement
- proportionalityScaling relationship between quantities
exoneration · plea · testimony · verdict · defendant · prosecution · trial · imminent threat
Remaining alive against odds
- fight-or-flightAcute threat reaction
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- threatIndication of potential harm
fear · reaction · alertness · intuition · escape · counterattack · resistance · guard
Self-assurance or trust
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- strengthPower to exert force
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
courage · independence · awareness · boundaries · empowerment · agency · capability · preparedness
Capsaicin-based defensive aerosol
- taserHandheld electroshock device
- batonSlender rod for leading
- knifeSharp cutting utensil
- firearmProjectile weapon using explosives
stun gun · personal alarm · mace · brass knuckles · tactical flashlight · concealed carry · holster · deterrent
Preventive safety measure
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- de-escalationReducing conflict intensity
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
escape route · safe space · buddy system · well-lit · security · alarm · prevention · risk assessment
karate
Japanese unarmed combat discipline
- judoJapanese throwing discipline
- taekwondoKorean striking martial art
- aikidoThrowing art using redirection
kung fu · jiu-jitsu · kickboxing · boxing · wrestling · hapkido · silat · savate · sambo · capoeira
justifiable
Able to be defended
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- reasonable forceLegally justified physical intervention
- necessityIndispensable requirement
proportionality · exoneration · plea · testimony · verdict · defendant · prosecution · trial · imminent threat · lethal force
survival
Remaining alive against odds
- fight-or-flightAcute threat reaction
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
threat · fear · reaction · alertness · intuition · escape · counterattack · resistance · guard · wariness
confidence
Self-assurance or trust
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- strengthPower to exert force
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
autonomy · courage · independence · awareness · boundaries · empowerment · agency · capability · preparedness · determination
pepper spray
Capsaicin-based defensive aerosol
firearm · stun gun · personal alarm · mace · brass knuckles · tactical flashlight · concealed carry · holster · deterrent · weapon
precaution
Preventive safety measure
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- de-escalationReducing conflict intensity
avoidance · escape route · safe space · buddy system · well-lit · security · alarm · prevention · risk assessment · street smarts
- self-defensemartial arts, karate, pepper spray, reasonable force, blocking
- Criminal Defenseright to counsel, legal counsel, not guilty, innocence, plea bargain
- combat trainingbasic training, boot camp, combat drills, drills, drilling
- Police Trainingpolice academy, academy, cadets, recruits, trainees
- Sentencing Factorsmitigating factors, aggravating factors, extenuating circumstances, criminal history, prior record
- defense typesman-to-man, full court press, box-and-one, fortification, barricade
self-defenseaggression
Hostile or attacking behavior
attack · offense · assault · unprovoked attack · first strike
self-defensemurder
Deliberate unlawful killing
manslaughter · battery · criminal assault · unlawful killing · homicide
self-defensedefenselessness
State of being unprotected
submission · surrender · capitulation · nonresistance · helplessness
self, defend, defense, selfish, defender, defended, selfless, defending, defensive