'Defensive' definitions:
Definition of 'defensive'
(from WordNet)
adjective
Intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack; "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance" [ant: offensive]
adjective
Attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing [syn: defensive, justificative, justificatory]
noun
An attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive') [syn: defensive, defensive attitude]
Definition of 'Defensive'
From: GCIDE
- Defensive \De*fen"sive\, n. That which defends; a safeguard. [1913 Webster]
- Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensives. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
- To be on the defensive, To stand on the defensive, to be or stand in a state or posture of defense or resistance, in opposition to aggression or attack. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Defensive'
From: GCIDE
- Defensive \De*fen"sive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]fensif.]
- 1. Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive; as, defensive armor. [1913 Webster]
- A moat defensive to a house. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; -- opposed to offensive; as, defensive war. [1913 Webster]
- 3. In a state or posture of defense. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'defensive'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- covering,
- custodial,
- defending,
- fostering,
- guardian,
- guarding,
- immunizing,
- parental,
- preventive,
- prophylactic,
- protecting,
- protective,
- safeguarding,
- screening,
- self-defensive,
- self-preservative,
- self-protective,
- sheltering,
- shielding,
- tutelary,
- vigilant,
- watchful
Words containing 'Defensive'
- Defense,
- Defenser,
- Defensibility,
- Defensible,
- Defensibleness,
- Defensively,
- To be on the defensive,
- defensative,
- defensiveness,
- Defensive proteid,
- Flank defense,
- To stand on the defensive,
- air defense,
- biological defense,
- bw defense,
- chemical defense,
- civil defense,
- defense attorney,
- defense contractor,
- defense counsel,
- defense department,
- defense force,
- defense laboratory,
- defense lawyer,
- defense lawyers,
- defense mechanism,
- defense policy,
- defense program,
- defense reaction,
- defense secretary,
- defense system,
- defense team,
- defensive attitude,
- defensive gallery,
- defensive measure,
- defensive structure,
- deliberate defense,
- department of defense,
- hasty defense,
- line of defense,
- secretary of defense,
- In self-defense,
- Self-defense,
- Self-defensive,
- active air defense,
- biological warfare defense,
- defense intelligence agency,
- defense logistics agency,
- israeli defense force,
- missile defense system,
- passive air defense,
- anti-takeover defense,
- ballistic missile defense organization,
- defense information systems agency,
- defense reutilization and marketing service,
- defense technical information center,
- department of defense laboratory system,
- united states department of defense,
- basic point defense missile system,
- defense advanced research projects agency,
- united self-defense force of colombia,
- united self-defense group of colombia