defensive

/dɪˈfensɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈfensɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈfen(t)-siv ˈdē-ˌfen(t)-/ (ame, mw) · /dɪˈfen.sɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈfen.sɪv/ (ame, ipa)

defensive — adjective

  • defensivepositive
  • more defensivecomparative
  • most defensivesuperlative

1. Made or used for protecting people, places, or things against physical attack or

1.形容詞B2
釋義

Made or used for protecting people, places, or things against physical attack or harm.

例句

A defensive wall along the border helped keep the enemy out.

defensive wall / defensive line

The soldiers were equipped with defensive weapons such as shields and batons.

defensive weapons

同義詞
  • protective

    Broader term — includes general safety (e.g. protective clothing) beyond military/attack contexts.

  • guarding

    More active — implies someone is physically watching over something.

  • safeguarding

    More formal; used in legal or procedural contexts rather than physical barriers.

反義詞
  • offensive

    Used for attacking rather than protecting.

  • aggressive

    In military contexts, describes forces that strike first rather than defend.

用法筆記

This sense relates to physical, military, or structural protection. For emotional or psychological self-protection when criticized, see sense 2 (SENSITIVE TO CRITICISM). Commonly passive in construction: 'be defensive' describes the thing itself, not a person's reaction.

常見錯誤

❌She put on a defensive helmet before riding.
✅She put on a protective helmet before riding.
💡'defensive' is used for protection against attack, not for general safety gear like bike helmets.

2. Behaving as if you are being attacked or criticised when you are not, or reactin

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Behaving as if you are being attacked or criticised when you are not, or reacting too strongly to mild negative feedback.

例句

When I asked Haruto about his mistake, he became defensive and raised his voice.

became defensive

Getting defensive when a colleague offers advice can hurt your relationships at work.

getting defensive

同義詞
  • touchy

    Less formal, slightly stronger — suggests irritation at even harmless comments.

  • oversensitive

    Focuses on the excessive reaction rather than the act of defending.

  • thin-skinned

    Informal idiom; implies the person is easily hurt by criticism.

反義詞
  • open-minded

    Willing to listen to criticism without feeling attacked.

  • receptive

    Able to accept feedback calmly and consider it.

文法句型

be/get/become defensive

defensive about + noun/-ing

用法筆記

Typically used as a predicate adjective after 'be', 'get', 'become', or 'feel'. The preposition 'about' introduces the trigger: 'defensive about his grades.' Avoid using this sense for physical protection — that is sense 1 (PROTECTING FROM ATTACK).

常見錯誤

❌He wore a defensive jacket.
✅He wore a protective jacket.
💡For physical safety gear, use 'protective' not the psychological sense of 'defensive'.

3. Relating to the part of a game or sport where a team or player tries to stop the

3.形容詞B1
釋義

Relating to the part of a game or sport where a team or player tries to stop the other side from scoring.

例句

Asher is the best defensive player on the basketball team.

defensive player

The coach changed the team's defensive strategy at half-time.

defensive strategy

同義詞
  • defending

    Can be used similarly ('the defending team'), but 'defensive' is the standard adjective form in sports contexts.

  • preventive

    Broader and less common in sports; used in general contexts for stopping something from happening.

反義詞
  • offensive

    The attacking side of a game, focused on scoring rather than preventing goals.

  • attacking

    Describes players or tactics that prioritise scoring over prevention.

用法筆記

Often used before a noun (attributive position): 'defensive player,' 'defensive line,' 'defensive formation.' The opposite in sports is 'offensive' — a team has both a defensive unit and an offensive unit.

defensive — noun