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nondefensive

nondefensive

6.0
To stay calm and not try to protect yourself when someone criticizes you
  • adjective
  • /ˌnɒn.dɪˈfɛn.sɪv/
translation icon : no defensivo
  • When receiving feedback at work, it's beneficial to approach it with a nondefensive mindset.

Examples

  • Practicing nondefensive communication helps to reduce misunderstandings and fosters collaboration.

  • Physical affection includes any physical contact of a positive nature, and openness codes denote the parent's attempt to self-disclose experiences or feelings relevant to the topic in a nondefensive manner.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The controversy over whether a U.N. Security Council mandate was needed for such nondefensive NATO interventions (which the United States opposed) seemed virtually settled.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Peabody and Gelso (1982) found that a nondefensive awareness of one's feelings may mitigate the tendency to act out these feelings behaviorally.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Social workers are trained to start and maintain difficult conversations on race, help participants to be nondefensive and self-reflective, and act as mediators between educators and caregivers.

    Academic text (2013)
  • A nondefensive attitude can lead to more constructive conversations and better relationships.

Antonyms

346 3.8

Made to protect against attack or harm

How Defensive

combative
31 6.1
defensive
118 4.0
guarded
4.9
nondefensive
6.0
receptive
52 4.1

Surface Forms

nondefensive positive

Morphology

nondefensive = defensive (transparent) = non + defensive

Formed by the productive negative prefix 'non-' added to the adjective 'defensive'; meaning is directly 'not defensive'.

Etymology

The word nondefensive breaks into non- meaning 'not' and defensive from defend meaning 'to protect', like holding up a shield. A helpful image is someone lowering their shield: being nondefensive means not protecting yourself or fighting back, so you can listen and respond calmly.