defensive
an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase 'on the defensive') • Syn: defensive attitude • Hypernyms: attitude, mental attitude
1. intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack (Freq. 9) - defensive weapons - a defensive stance • Ant: offensive • Similar to: antiaircraft, antisubmarine, antitank, defending, en garde • See Also: protective • Derivationally related forms: defend 2. attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing (Freq. 1) • Syn: justificative, justificatory • Similar to: apologetic, excusatory • Derivationally related forms: justify (for: justificatory), justify (for: justificative), defend
|
|