The meaning of DEFENSIVE is serving to defend or protect. How to use defensive in a sentence.

DEFENSIVE definition: 1. used to protect someone or something against attack: 2. too quick to protect yourself from…. Learn more.

DEFENSIVE definition: serving to defend; protective. See examples of defensive used in a sentence.

2. 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 …

Dec 14, 2025 · Adjective defensive (comparative more defensive, superlative most defensive) Intended for defence; protective.

Defensive definition: Of or relating to defense.

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 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 …

Someone who is defensive is behaving in a way that shows they feel unsure or threatened. Like their children, parents are often defensive about their private lives. She heard the blustering, …