defensive

Everyday

1. Defensive means used or made to protect against attack (a defensive wall). tree →
2. A defensive person reacts as if being criticised or attacked, and tries to protect themselves. tree →
3. In sport, defensive means about stopping the other team from scoring. tree →
4. Fighting on the defensive means only protecting yourself and not attacking. tree →

In the lessons

In history, castles had defensive walls and moats. In sport, defensive players protect their goal. In stories and feelings lessons, a defensive character gets upset when someone points out a mistake. In nature, animals have defensive features like spines and shells. Phrases: defensive player, defensive wall, on the defensive, get defensive.

Examples

• The castle had thick defensive walls. tree →
• The hedgehog's spines are a defensive feature. tree →
• He gets defensive when you say his room is messy. tree →
• She is a strong defensive player. tree →
• The team was on the defensive for most of the game. tree →
• Don't be defensive; I'm only trying to help. tree →
• A porcupine has a defensive way of raising its quills. tree →
• Man to man they were the stronger; but they fought on the defensive only, which enabled the boys to hunt in pairs and choose their quarry. tree →

Note

Comparison: more defensive. Spelt «defensive» with s (US «defense», UK «defence», but «defensive» everywhere). Verb: defend. Opposite: offensive, attacking.