defensively
defensively — 副詞
1. done to shield a person or thing from physical damage — for instance, raising yo
防護地
以保護方式防止攻擊或傷害
done to shield a person or thing from physical damage — for instance, raising your arm to block a thrown object or positioning guards around a building.
Tomás held his arms up defensively to shield his face from the broken glass.
Tomás 防護性地舉起雙臂，擋住飛來的碎玻璃。
adverb modifying physical action (held up arms)
The cat hissed defensively and backed into a corner when the neighbour's dog rushed in.
鄰居的狗衝進屋時，那隻貓防護性地嘶嘶叫，退到角落裡。
Troops were stationed defensively along the border after a nearby army crossed into their territory.
鄰近軍隊越界後，部隊在邊境沿線防護性地部署。
The old woman raised her walking stick defensively when the stray dogs ran towards her.
流浪狗朝她跑來時，老婦人防護性地舉起枴杖。
- guardedly
focuses more on careful watchfulness rather than active physical protection
- protectively
similar in meaning but often carries a caring tone; 'defensively' is more about blocking threats
- offensively
attacking rather than defending
用法筆記
Frequently modifies verbs of physical positioning or body movement — stand, hold, raise, move, position.
常見錯誤
2. acting as if someone's words are an attack on you — answering with irritation or
戒備地
因感覺被批評而惱怒反擊
acting as if someone's words are an attack on you — answering with irritation or self-justification when you hear a comment that feels unfair.
"Why do you need to know?" Amihan snapped defensively when her flatmate asked.
「你為什麼需要知道？」室友問起時，Amihan 戒備地回嗆。
adverb modifying speech verb (snapped defensively) + direct quotation
Nicholas reacted defensively to the teacher's suggestion that he could try harder in maths class.
Nicholas 對老師建議他數學課可以再努力一點這件事，反應很戒備。
"I followed the instructions!" the mechanic said defensively when his manager pointed out the mistake.
「我完全按照指示操作！」經理指出錯誤時，那名技師戒備地說。
Talia answered defensively when her colleague asked why the report was late, insisting she had done everything she could.
同事問 Talia 報告是否按時完成時，她戒備地回答。
用法筆記
Commonly pairs with verbs of speaking or reacting — reply, respond, react, say, answer. The context must include a perceived criticism or challenge; without one, the reader may interpret the adverb as physical protection (sense 1).
常見錯誤
3. during a game, concentrating on blocking the other side from adding points inste
防守地
在比賽中以防止對手得分的方式
during a game, concentrating on blocking the other side from adding points instead of trying to add to your own total.
With two minutes left, the home team played defensively to hold onto their one-goal lead.
比賽只剩兩分鐘時，主隊防守性地踢球，守住一球的領先。
adverb modifying sports verb (played defensively)
Mayumi positioned herself defensively near the baseline, ready to return any shot her opponent hit.
Mayumi 在底線附近防守性地站位，準備回擊對手打過來的任何一球。
The coach told his defenders to stay back and think defensively at every corner kick.
教練告訴他的後衛，每次角球時都要留在後場，以防守心態思考。
The chess champion played defensively, blocking each attack on her king while carefully building up her own position.
那位西洋棋冠軍以防守策略應戰，擋住每次對國王的攻擊，同時穩健布局自己的棋子。
- cautiously
broader — can apply to any careful play, not just preventing scoring
- safely
less precise; 'defensively' is the standard sports term
- aggressively
attacking rather than defending in sports contexts
- offensively
the direct opposite in sports strategy
用法筆記
Often contrasts with 'offensively' or 'attacking'. The adverb describes a tactical choice, not the player's position (see sense 4 for positional use).
4. describing a player who is placed in a team's back line or given the job of stop
後衛位
擔任防守角色或位置的用法
describing a player who is placed in a team's back line or given the job of stopping the opponent's attacks.
Aylin was used defensively in the second half, marking the other team's fastest winger.
下半場 Aylin 被當作防守球員使用，負責盯住對方最快的邊鋒。
passive: was used defensively (role assignment)
The manager moved Tariro from midfield to play defensively and protect the back line.
總教練把 Tariro 從中場調到後衛位，要他保護後防線。
Sumin trained defensively all season, learning how to read passes and intercept the ball.
Sumin 整個賽季都以防守方式訓練，學習判斷傳球路線並進行攔截。
Liam was deployed defensively as a full-back in the second half of the match.
下半場 Liam 被派到後衛位擔任邊後衛。
- as a defender
a phrase rather than a single adverb, but clearer for positional meaning
- in attack
the opposite positional assignment
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 describes the style of play (playing cautiously to prevent scoring), while sense 4 describes the player's assigned role or position (being placed in the defensive unit of the team).
defensively — 形容詞
- defensivelypositive
- more defensivelycomparative
- most defensivelysuperlative
1. designed or intended to keep a person, place, or thing safe from physical harm o
防禦的
用來保護或防止傷害的
designed or intended to keep a person, place, or thing safe from physical harm or damage — for example, a thick wall around a castle or protective clothing worn on a worksite.
The old castle was surrounded by a defensive wall three metres thick that had never been breached.
那座古城堡被一道三公尺厚、從未被攻破的防禦城牆包圍著。
attributive: defensive + noun (wall)
Caio always wore defensive gear — a helmet, knee pads, and wrist guards — when he went skateboarding.
Caio 玩滑板時總是穿戴防護裝備——頭盔、護膝和護腕。
attributive: defensive + noun (gear), listing specific protective items
The garden was protected by a defensive fence designed to keep deer from eating the vegetables.
花園被一道防護圍籬保護著，這道圍籬是為了防止鹿群吃掉蔬菜而設計的。
The embassy erected a defensive barrier before the protest march to stop anyone from getting too close.
大使館在抗議遊行前設置了一道防護屏障，防止任何人靠得太近。
- protective
broader; 'protective' can describe caring, nurturing actions, while 'defensive' specifically implies warding off a threat
- sheltering
focuses on shielding from harm rather than actively repelling it
- offensive
intended for attacking rather than protecting
用法筆記
Typically used attributively (before a noun) when describing the purpose or function of an object — defensive wall, defensive barrier, defensive armour. Less common in predicative position.
2. taking a posture or adopting measures aimed at stopping an enemy, opponent, or t
防衛的
採取抵抗或抵擋攻擊的姿態
taking a posture or adopting measures aimed at stopping an enemy, opponent, or threat from acting aggressively.
The ambassador took a defensive stance, refusing to answer any questions about the leaked documents.
大使採取防衛姿態，拒絕回答任何關於洩密文件的問題。
collocation: take a defensive stance
Nikos found that his defensive attitude towards feedback was hurting his chances of promotion.
Nikos 發現自己對回饋意見的防衛態度正在阻礙升遷的機會。
The country adopted a defensive foreign policy after decades of costly military conflicts.
經過數十年的昂貴軍事衝突後，該國轉而採取防衛性的外交政策。
Amani's defensive tone made it clear that she would not discuss her personal finances with anyone.
Amani 防衛性的語氣表明她不會跟任何人討論個人財務。
- guarded
describes careful, watchful behaviour similar to a defensive attitude
- protective
often overlaps but can imply care rather than resistance to aggression
- aggressive
actively confronting rather than resisting
- open
receptive rather than resistant
用法筆記
Distinguish from adjective sense 1: sense 1 describes a physical object designed for protection (a defensive wall), while sense 2 describes a posture, attitude, or strategy adopted by a person, group, or nation.
常見錯誤
3. relating to the part of a game or team whose job is to stop the opposition from
防守的
比賽中阻止對手得分的
relating to the part of a game or team whose job is to stop the opposition from scoring points or goals.
The team's defensive line held firm throughout the match and stopped every attack.
球隊的防守線在整場比賽中穩如泰山，擋住了每一次攻勢。
attributive: defensive + noun (line), sports term
Yasmin made a brilliant defensive play, intercepting the pass just before the ball reached the goal.
Yasmin 做出了一次漂亮的防守動作，在球抵達球門前攔截了傳球。
Their defensive strategy relied on keeping all eleven players behind the ball when the other team had possession.
他們的防守策略是讓所有十一名球員在對方持球時全部退回球後方。
The basketball team practised defensive drills every morning to improve their ability to block shots.
這支籃球隊每天早上練習防守訓練，提昇封阻投籃的能力。
用法筆記
Used mostly attributively — defensive player, defensive drill, defensive formation. In sports commentary it contrasts directly with 'offensive'.
4. relating to the unconscious strategies people use to protect themselves from unc
防衛機制的
心理上保護自我或自尊的
relating to the unconscious strategies people use to protect themselves from uncomfortable feelings or unwanted truths about themselves.
His constant jokes about his own appearance were a defensive reaction to the bullying he had suffered as a child.
他不停地拿自己的外貌開玩笑，這是對童年時期遭受的霸凌所產生的防衛性反應。
attributive: defensive + noun (reaction), psychology context
Linh recognised that her anger was a defensive response to feeling excluded from the group discussion.
Linh 意識到自己的憤怒是對被排除在團體討論之外的一種防衛性反應。
The therapist explained that blaming others is a common defensive mechanism people use to protect their self-esteem.
治療師解釋說，責怪別人是人們用來保護自尊的常見防衛機制。
Ezra's habit of making light of every serious situation was a defensive strategy to avoid showing vulnerability.
Ezra 總是把嚴肅的事情拿來開玩笑，這是一種避免流露脆弱的防衛策略。
- ego-protective
more transparent in meaning but less common in everyday language
- self-protective
broader — can describe conscious choices, not just unconscious strategies
用法筆記
Almost exclusively attributive in this sense — defensive mechanism, defensive reaction, defensive response. The term 'defensive mechanism' is the standard clinical phrase in psychology; 'defensive' alone is less common without a following noun in this sense.
常見錯誤
defensively — 名詞
1. a state or situation in which a person, group, or army is ready to resist an att
守勢
準備防禦或抵抗的狀態
a state or situation in which a person, group, or army is ready to resist an attack or is being forced to protect itself instead of acting freely.
After losing the first two battles, the army was forced onto the defensive for the rest of the campaign.
連輸兩場戰役後，該軍隊在接下來的戰局中被迫轉入守勢。
fixed phrase: onto the defensive
The champion's early attacks put her opponent on the defensive for the entire first round of the match.
冠軍選手一開賽便接連猛攻，讓對手在整場第一回合中都處於守勢。
fixed phrase: put someone on the defensive
Ryo went on the defensive as soon as the manager mentioned the missing receipts.
經理一提到那張遺失的收據，Ryo 馬上就進入守勢。
The journalist's tough questions put the politician on the defensive during the live broadcast.
記者的尖銳提問讓那名政治人物在現場直播中陷入守勢。
- defensive position
a longer but clearer alternative to 'the defensive'; works in the same fixed phrases
- defence (British)
similar meaning but used in a wider range of grammatical patterns
- offensive
the opposite situation — acting aggressively rather than protecting
用法筆記
The noun 'defensive' is almost always used in fixed phrases — 'on the defensive', 'onto the defensive', 'put someone on the defensive', 'force someone onto the defensive'. It is rarely used outside these patterns.