HOW TO PRONOUNCE
defensive
/dɪˈfɛn.sɪv/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:55
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What does defensive mean?
adjective
- Intended for defence; protective.
- Intended to deter attack.
- Performed so as to minimise risk.
More meanings (5)
adjective
- Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism or intrusion; oversensitive; thin-skinned.
- Of a bowling or fielding tactic designed to prevent the other side from scoring runs; of a batting tactic designed to prevent being out.
- Pertaining to defense, as opposed to attack.
- In a state or posture of defense.
noun
- A means, attitude or position of defense. Chiefly in on the defensive.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/dɪˈfɛn.sɪv/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
But, being doubtful of the temper of his troops, he declined all invitations to fight and remained strictly on the defensive.
Marcus, terrified, but too brave to run, had picked up a jagged stone with his left hand and stood on the defensive.
More book examples (3)
The most serious and repeated difficulties in regard to lunatic asylums spring from the very principles of the defensive function of society.
The latter does not belong to this class in which are to be grouped only such as practically bear a defensive character.
Whenever the object is to form a defensive line, the latter should be left in rear or avoided as much as possible.