The meaning of DEFENSIVE is serving to defend or protect. How to use defensive in a sentence.
If someone is defensive, the person feels criticized and quickly tries to explain:
- of or pertaining to defense. 3. sensitive to the threat of criticism or injury to one's ego. n. 4. a position or attitude of defense: on the defensive about one's mistakes.
Mar 3, 2025 · When it comes to "defencive" versus "defensive," you might feel unsure. So, which one is correct? The right way to spell it is defensive. This is the form you’ll see in dictionaries and is widely.
Dec 14, 2025 · Adjective defensive (comparative more defensive, superlative most defensive) Intended for defence; protective.
Defensive definition: Of or relating to defense.
Defensive refers to any action, behavior, state, strategy, or mechanism intended to protect or prevent harm, injury, or attack. It typically involves measures or tactics used to guard against something.
de•fen•sive /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/ adj. [before a noun] of or relating to defense: defensive weapons. Psychology sensitive to criticism: There's no need to be so defensive. n. [uncountable] on the defensive, to be in.
When a person is acting defensive, they're trying to protect or justify themselves. People who are insecure or guilty tend to act defensive. Also, defensive players in football try to prevent the other.
DEFENSIVE definition: serving to defend; protective. See examples of defensive used in a sentence.
