Word
defensive
Phoneticsde·fen·sive, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈfɛnsɪv/
UK/dɪfˈɛnsɪv/
Definitions
01protective
B1 · Intermediate
adj. used to protect someone or something from being attacked.
adj. intended for defense or protection against external aggression or harm.
“The city built a defensive wall to protect the citizens from invaders.”
“The military alliance established a defensive perimeter around the border to deter any potential incursions from neighboring territories.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02oversensitive to criticism
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. behaving as if you expect people to criticize you, often getting angry or upset quickly.
adj. displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism or perceived intrusion; characterized by a reactive or self-justifying posture.
“Don't get so defensive; I was only trying to help you with your work.”
“The manager became increasingly defensive during the meeting, interpreting every suggestion for improvement as a personal attack on his leadership.”
03sports/strategy
B1 · Intermediate Sports
adj. relating to the part of a game where you try to stop the other team from scoring.
adj. pertaining to the prevention of scoring by an opponent; characterized by risk-aversion or protective positioning.
“The team played a defensive game because they wanted to keep their lead.”
“The coach opted for a defensive formation in the second half, prioritizing a clean sheet over the risk of conceding on a counter-attack.”
Synonyms
04a state of defense
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a position or attitude where you are ready to defend yourself.
n. a state, posture, or attitude of defense; most commonly used in the phrase 'on the defensive'.
“The lawyer's difficult questions put the witness on the defensive.”
“The company was forced onto the defensive after the investigative report revealed significant flaws in their safety protocols.”
Usage
Usually appears in the prepositional phrase 'on the defensive'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “defensive” in context.
Verb
01. adopt a defensive posture
“The company adopted a defensive posture to protect its market share from competitors.”
verb + adj + noun
02. become defensive
“He became defensive when the manager asked why the project was behind schedule.”
verb + adj
03. put someone on the defensive
“The lawyer's aggressive questioning put the witness on the defensive.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
04. defensive about his actions
“The politician was noticeably defensive about his actions during the crisis.”
adj + prep
05. highly defensive
“She is highly defensive about her writing style and rarely accepts feedback.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. defensive capabilities
“The nation is investing heavily to upgrade its defensive capabilities against cyberattacks.”
adj + noun
07. defensive mechanism
“Humor can often serve as a defensive mechanism to avoid dealing with painful emotions.”
adj + noun
Preposition
08. on the defensive
“The team has been on the defensive for most of the second half.”
prep + noun
09. defensive midfielder
Real-World Examples
“Anderson, like Fernandez, has played in various midfield positions - defensive and further forward.” “The overnight drone activity also prompted defensive measures elsewhere in the Baltic region.” “When he did a very limited number of interviews, Farage, normally performatively affable, was testy and defensive.” “In pre-season, this has been the weakest part of City's system with players, often in midfield or at full-back, having to cover large distances, leaving gaps in their defensive shape.” Etymology
From Middle French défensif. Morphologically defense + -ive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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