defensive
[adjective]
Synonyms: on guard, on the defensive, protective, uptight (informal), watchful

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. de‧fen‧sive¹ /dɪˈfensɪv/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: DEFENCE/DEFENSE, defendant, defender, defensiveness; adjective: DEFENCELESS/DEFENSELESS, defensible ≠ indefensible, defensive; adverb: defensibly ≠ indefensibly, defensively; verb: defend]

1. used or intended to protect someone or something against attack Antonym : offensive:
The prince drew up his forces in a strong defensive position.
The rockets are a purely defensive measure against nuclear attack.

2. behaving in a way that shows you think someone is criticizing you even if they are not:
She despised herself for sounding so defensive.
a reserved and defensive manner

3. American English relating to stopping the other team from getting points in a game Antonym : offensive:
defensive play
—defensively adverb
—defensiveness noun [uncountable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. defensive² noun

1. on/onto the defensive behaving in a way that shows that you think that someone is criticizing you even if they are not:
In his presence, she was constantly on the defensive.

2. put/force somebody on the defensive if you put someone on the defensive in an argument, you attack them so that they are in a weaker position ⇒ go on the offensive:
an issue that put the White House on the defensive

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

defensive
adj.
I. protecting against attack
VERBS be
ADV. purely These are purely defensive measures.
essentially, largely a largely defensive campaign

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

defensive
II. showing you feel sb is criticizing you
VERBS be, feel, look, seem, sound | become, get Whenever anyone mention women's rights, he gets rather defensive.
ADV. extremely, fiercely, very He did not once glance at his listeners and seemed fiercely defensive.
a little, rather, slightly, somewhat | oddly Her manner was oddly defensive, as he hadn't intended any criticism at all.
PREP. about He is extremely defensive about his work.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲