HyperDic: defensive

English > 3 senses of the word defensive:
ADJECTIVEalldefensiveintended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack / attack / attack
alldefensive, justificative, justificatoryattempting to justify or defend in speech / speech or writing
NOUNcognitiondefensive, defensive attitudean attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase 'on the defensive')
defensive > pronunciation
Soundsdihfeh'nsihv
Rhymesabortive ... vituperative: 304 rhymes with ihv...
English > defensive: 3 senses > adjective 1
MeaningIntended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack / attack / attack.
Examples
  • "defensive weapons"
  • "a defensive stance"
Narrowerantiaircraftdesigned for defense from a surface position against air attack
antisubmarinedefensive against enemy submarines
antitankdesigned for defense against armored vehicles
defendingattempting to or designed to prevent an opponent from winning or scoring
en garde(fencing) in a defensive stance
See alsoprotectiveIntended or adapted to afford protection of some kind
OppositeoffensiveFor the purpose of attack / attack rather than defense
Spanishdefensivo
Adverbsdefensivelyin a defensive manner
Verbsdefendbe on the defensive
defendprotect against a challenge or attack / attack / attack
English > defensive: 3 senses > adjective 2
Meaningattempting to justify or defend in speech / speech or writing.
Synonymsjustificative, justificatory
Broaderapologetic, excusatoryoffering or expressing apology
Spanishdefensivo, justificador, justificante
Catalandefensiu, defensor, justificador, justificant
Nounsdefensivean attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase 'on the defensive')
Adverbsdefensivelyin an apologetic and defensive manner
Verbsdefendstate or assert
defendfight against or resist strongly
English > defensive: 3 senses > noun 1, cognition
MeaningAn attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase 'on the defensive').
Synonymdefensive attitude
Broaderattitude, mental attitudeA complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways / ways
Spanishactitud defensiva, defensiva
Catalanactitud defensiva, defensiva
Adjectivesdefensiveattempting to justify or defend in speech / speech or writing

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