defensive
adjective
uk
/dɪˈfen.sɪv/ us
/dɪˈfen.sɪv/defensive adjective (PROTECTING)
Opposite
- Research involving the use of biological warfare agents will be used for defensive purposes.
- The merest hint of criticism makes him defensive.
- The tone of the feminist speakers suggested they were adopting a rather defensive posture.
- Some of the tunnels in the cliff are natural, some were carved out by soldiers for defensive purposes.
- The anti-personnel mines were laid around the town as a defensive measure.
- air defence
- anti-bug
- anti-mosquito
- baby
- bandobast
- elbow
- elbows up idiom
- embedded
- featherbedding
- fight back phrasal verb
- foot patrol
- insulate
- mount
- poisonous
- re-secure
- ring-fence
- safeguard
- sea defence
- security camera
- smother
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
defensive adjective (SENSITIVE)
C2
- affirmatively
- and the same to you with (brass) knobs on idiom
- answer
- answer the door
- clap back phrasal verb
- clapback
- comeback
- counter
- field
- in response
- in the affirmative
- interview
- keep (someone/something) away phrasal verb
- lukewarm response
- non-answer
- rejoin
- rejoinder
- response
- retort
- riposte
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
defensive adjective (IN SPORT)
defensive
noun
uk
/dɪˈfen.sɪv/ us
/dɪˈfen.sɪv/ on the defensive
The government has been put on the defensive, accused by critics of doing too little too late.
