defensive

American  

[dih-fen-siv] / dɪˈfɛn sɪv /

adjective

1. serving to defend; protective.

   defensive armament.

2. made or carried on for the purpose of resisting attack.

   defensive treaty;

   a defensive attitude.

3. of or relating to defense.

4. (of stocks, securities, etc.)

   1. able to provide moderately steady growth with minimal risk.

      The bank has put a large percentage of its assets in defensive rather than growth stocks.

   2. considered stable and relatively safe for investment, especially during a decline in the economy.

5. excessively concerned with guarding against the real or imagined threat of criticism, injury to one's ego, or exposure of one's shortcomings.

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noun

1. a position or attitude of defense.

   to be on the defensive about one's mistakes.

2. Obsolete. something that serves to defend.

defensive British  

/ dɪˈfɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. intended, suitable, or done for defence, as opposed to offence

2. rejecting criticisms of oneself or covering up one's failings

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noun

1. a position of defence

2. in an attitude or position of defence, as in being ready to reject criticism

defensive Idioms  

1. see on the defensive.

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Other Word Forms

• defensively
  adverb
• defensiveness
  noun
• nondefensive
  adjective
• nondefensively
  adverb
• overdefensive
  adjective
• overdefensively
  adverb
• semidefensive
  adjective
• semidefensively
  adverb
• undefensive
  adjective
• undefensively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of defensive

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin dēfēnsīvus ( see defense, -ive); replacing Middle English defensif, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin, as above

Explanation

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. When a person is acting defensive, they're trying to protect or justify themselves. People who are insecure or guilty tend to act defensive. Also, defensive players in football try to prevent the other side from scoring, just like defensive military strategies try to protect something. When someone has a defensive attitude, or is forced to defend something, we also say they're "on the defensive."

Example Sentences

Defensive midfielder Guardiola spent most of his playing career at Barcelona, winning six La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and the 1991-92 European Cup.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Defensive staples stocks have done better amid the Iran War, but they’re basically break-even over the past year, with companies like General Mills and Kraft Heinz down over the past one- and five-year periods.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

On the court he’s getting incredible help from players like Zuby Ejiofor, the Big East’s Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Defensive failings have dogged Borthwick's time in charge – he is the only England head coach in the men's Six Nations era whose team have conceded an average of more than 20 points per game.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Hermione said such things were illegal, and thought it much more likely that Dumbledore wanted to teach Harry advanced Defensive magic.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• opposing