DEFENSIVE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for DEFENSIVE?

Need another word that means the same as “defensive”? Find 11 synonyms and 30 related words for “defensive” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Defensive” are: justificative, justificatory, defending, protecting, protective, oversensitive, thin-skinned, prickly, paranoid, neurotic, defensive attitude

Defensive as a Noun

Definitions of "Defensive" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “defensive” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• An attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive.

Synonyms of "Defensive" as a noun (1 Word)

defensive attitude

An attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive.

Defensive as an Adjective

Definitions of "Defensive" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “defensive” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Used or intended to defend or protect.
• Very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism.
• Intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack.
• (in sport) relating to or intended as defence.
• Attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing.

Synonyms of "Defensive" as an adjective (10 Words)

defending	(in sport) protecting one’s goal or wicket rather than attempting to score against one’s opponents. The defending champion.
justificative	Providing justification.
justificatory	Serving as proof or justification. Justificatory arguments.
neurotic	(in non-technical use) abnormally sensitive, obsessive, or anxious. He seemed a neurotic self obsessed character.
oversensitive	(especially of a person or an instrument) excessively sensitive. Bentley was oversensitive to criticism.
paranoid	Suffering from paranoia. You think I m paranoid but I tell you there is something going on.
prickly	Very irritable. She came across as prickly and generally difficult.
protecting	Shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort. The protecting blanket of snow.
protective	Showing care. A protective covering.
thin-skinned	Quick to take offense.

Usage Examples of "Defensive" as an adjective

• A poor defensive record.
• A defensive stance.
• He was very defensive about that side of his life.
• Defensive barriers.
• A defensive player.
• Defensive weapons.

Associations of "Defensive" (30 Words)

armament	Weaponry used by military or naval force. Instruments of disarmament rather than of armament.
arms	Weapons; armaments. Arms and ammunition.
battlefield	A region where a battle is being (or has been) fought. The battlefields of the Great War.
blockade	Impose a blockade on. The authorities blockaded roads in and out of the capital.
circumvention	The action of overcoming a problem or difficulty, typically in a clever and surreptitious way. Circumvention of the rules undermines any fairness.
fortification	The action of fortifying or process of being fortified. A medieval fortification.
gun	Shoot with a gun. A grease gun.
intercept	An act or instance of intercepting something. I intercepted Edward on his way to work.
machiavellian	A follower of Machiavelli’s principles.
maneuver	A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill. He maneuvered to get the chairmanship.
military	The military forces of a nation. The build up of military activity.
moat	Surround a place with a moat.
munition	Military weapons ammunition equipment and stores. Munition factories.
naval	Connected with or belonging to or used in a navy. A naval base.
obstructionist	Someone who systematically obstructs some action that others want to take.
ordnance	Large but transportable armament. The ordnance corps.
ploy	A maneuver in a game or conversation. The eternal cross stitch I was set to do before I could indulge my own ploys.
prevent	(of God) go before (someone) with spiritual guidance and help. Locks won t prevent a determined burglar from getting in.
protective	(usually followed by `of’) solicitously caring or mindful. Animals with protective coloring.
siege	A group of herons. Two cult members have died so far in the four day siege.
stratagem	A maneuver in a game or conversation. A series of devious stratagems.
strategically	In a way that relates to the achievement of long-term or overall aims and interests. We have to think strategically about how best to utilize our facilities.
tackle	Make determined efforts to deal with (a problem or difficult task. The first scoring chance came when Orrell tackled Webb.
tactic	The art of disposing armed forces in order of battle and of organizing operations, especially during contact with an enemy. The minority attempted to control the Council by a delaying tactic.
tactics	A plan for attaining a particular goal.
turret	A small tower on top of a larger tower or at the corner of a building or wall, typically of a castle. A castle with fairy tale turrets.
unbeatable	Extremely good; outstanding. The team is unbeatable.
wall	Anything that suggests a wall in structure or function or effect. He curled a free kick around the wall for a late equalizer.
warfare	The waging of armed conflict against an enemy. Diplomatic warfare.
wiretap	An act of using a listening device to conduct surveillance, typically over a phone line. After putting a wiretap on the phone of the pizzeria agents searched shipments bound for the warehouse.