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

Mar 9, 2026 · Defensiveness isn’t just stubbornness — it’s your brain protecting your sense of self. Here’s what’s really going on when you or someone else gets defensive.

If someone is defensive, the person feels criticized and quickly tries to explain:

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

Jan 15, 2026 · Getting defensive takes many forms, including attacks, denial, fabrication, avoidance and gaslighting. People sometimes feel that ending a relationship with someone defensive is necessary …

6 days ago · Synonyms for DEFENSIVE: protective, self-protective, preventive, deterrent, secure, safe, guard, lookout; Antonyms of DEFENSIVE: offensive, aggressive, belligerent, warlike, combative, …

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 …

If someone is defensive, the person feels criticized and quickly tries to explain:

Intended or appropriate for defending; protective. 2. a. Intended to withstand or deter aggression or attack: a defensive weapons system; defensive behavior. b. Of or relating to the effort to prevent an …

In many team sports, defense (American spelling) or defence (Commonwealth spelling) is the action of preventing an opponent from scoring. The term may also refer to the tactics involved in defense, or a …