defensive
Â
1   adj You use defensive to describe things that are intended to protect someone or something.Â
usu ADJ nÂ
The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids... Â
2   adj Someone who is defensive is behaving in a way that shows they feel unsure or threatened.Â
Like their children, parents are often defensive about their private lives. Â
♦
 defensively  advÂ
`Oh, I know, I know,' said Kate, defensively. Â
♦
 defensiveness  n-uncountÂ
He felt a certain defensiveness about his position. Â
3 Â If someone is on the defensive, they are trying to protect themselves or their interests because they feel unsure or threatened.Â
♦
on the defensive  phrase usu v-link PHR, PHR after vÂ
Accusations are likely to put the other person on the defensive... Â
4   adj In sports, defensive play is play that is intended to prevent your opponent from scoring goals or points against you.Â
usu ADJ n  (Antonym: attacking)
 I'd always played a defensive game, waiting for my opponent to make a mistake. Â
♦
 defensively  adv ADV after vÂ
Mexico did not play defensively. Â
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