defensive

[dih-fen-siv]

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.

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

/ dɪˈfɛnsɪv /

adjective

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

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

noun

1. a position of defence

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of defensive¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see on the defensive.

Example Sentences

But as the graphic shows, there are two teams that stand apart from all the rest for having key defensive problems: Manchester United and Burnley.

Read more on BBC

Despite the mounting challenges and Dollar Tree’s reputation as a primarily defensive stock, shares have outperformed this year’s bull market, climbing 28% in 2025 as of the close of trading Tuesday.

Read more on Barron's

Reduce aggressive holdings and increase defensive holdings 4.

Read more on MarketWatch

Stallard noted that current missile demand encompasses both offensive and defensive capabilities, citing “surging interest” across air, sea and land domains.

Read more on MarketWatch

This will be the first extended trip that will end in London for defensive lineman Kobie Turner and other young players.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• opposing