defensiveness (HyperDic hyper-dictionary)

English > 1 sense of the word *defensiveness*:
NOUN	attribute	defensiveness	excessive sensitivity to criticism

defensiveness > pronunciation
Sounds	dihfeh'nsihvnahs
Rhymes	abacus ... zealous: 1164 rhymes with ahs...

English > *defensiveness*: 1 sense > noun 1, attribute
Meaning	excessive sensitivity to criticism.
Examples	"his defensiveness was manifested in hurt silence" "the fear of being sued for malpractice has magnified physicians' defensiveness"
Narrower	bunker mentality	defensiveness resulting from repeated attacks
Broader	sensitivity, sensitiveness	The ability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment
Spanish	a la defensiva, defensividad

HyperDic: defensiveness