defence mechanism
Britishnoun
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psychoanal a usually unconscious mental process designed to reduce the anxiety, shame, etc, associated with instinctive desires
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physiol the protective response of the body against disease organisms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unlike bees or wasps, which sting as a defence mechanism to protect themselves, a jellyfish sting is an automatic reflex, not a deliberate attack.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
They found Madagascar "hissing" cockroaches, a bulky insect named for its noisy defence mechanism, and dubia cockroaches, an invasive critter bred as a snack for pet lizards.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
This kind of constant self-editing, Ms Kean explains, may act as a defence mechanism to avoid being seen as abrasive or overly assertive.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2025
When it works properly, the p53 protein serves as a powerful defence mechanism against cancer development by ensuring that cells with compromised DNA either get repaired or removed from our body.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 28, 2023
The Fire Crab does, however, have its own defence mechanism: it shoots flames from its rear end when attacked.
From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling
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