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:

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

1. serving or done for the purpose of resisting attack. 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 …

Definition of defensive adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. protecting somebody/something against attack. As a defensive measure he built a series of coastal forts and …

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 …

There are 17 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word defensive, five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

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 …