Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   defensive

   /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/

   adjective

   • 1. used or intended to defend or protect: "defensive barriers" Similar defendingguardingsafeguardingprotectingprotectiveshieldingscreeningwarywatchfulavertingwithstandingopposingOpposite attacking
   • ▪ (in sport) relating to or intended as defence: "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

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • F

     4

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • S

     1

   • I

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDEFENSIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Learn the definition of defensive as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples. Find out how to pronounce defensive and translate it into different languages.

   • English (US)

     DEFENSIVE meaning: 1. used to protect someone or something...

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defensive

   • Cached

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

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › defensive

   • Cached

   Defensive definition: serving to defend; protective. See examples of DEFENSIVE used in a sentence.

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

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › defensive

   Someone on the defensive is concerned with justifying their actions or words. They have a defensive attitude as they try to protect themselves. If you know that to defend is to protect, you have an idea what defensive means.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDEFENSIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   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

   • Cached

   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 › english › defensive_1defensive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › defensive_1

   • Cached

   Definition of defensive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.