defensive
115
4.0
- adjective
- /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/
- When he felt criticized during the meeting, he became quite defensive about his project decisions.
- a defensive reaction
- become defensive
- defensive mechanisms
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Watch on YouTubeDon't don't jump to any defensive stance on this.
- Don't don't jump to any defensive stance on this.
- Yeah, she's a little defensive there, but it's OK.
- People get very defensive about that sort of thing.
- And then I just become defensive, angry.
- People are very defensive about their time.
- Why are people defensive about changes you're making to your diet?
- So another one point here mentioned, I get defensive easily.
- The empathy deficits in narcissism appear to be more defensive and self protective.
- And I'll feel my, you know, my back goes up and I get defensive about it.
- Instead, they make excuses or they're defensive or they push back that there's no closure.
- You're going to lie very defensive, but that's true.
- Alec Baldwin does not turn out to be a defensive because I totally agree with Mark.
Examples
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Why are people defensive about changes you're making to your diet?
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You seem a bit defensive.
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People get very defensive about that sort of thing.
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People are very defensive about their time.
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And then I just become defensive, angry.
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Be open to other points of view and do not become defensive when challenged.
Academic text (2012) -
The employee is likely to become immediately defensive and refuse to engage further in the conversation.
Academic text (2015) -
I don't know what I did to make you so defensive.
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You don't have to get defensive.
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You don't have to be defensive, Tripp.
Synonyms
1
8.8
Gives reasons to show why something is right or okay
Giving a reason to defend or explain something
Antonyms
Compounds
How Defensive
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Defensive comes from the same root as defend and defense, with de- ('off') and fend ('push back'). A helpful way to remember the feeling sense is to think of someone trying to 'push back' at criticism, so when a person is defensive they act to protect themselves from feeling attacked.