defensive
The word “defensive” has 3 syllables: de-fen-sive
It's pronounced as /dɪˈfɛn.sɪv/
What is synonym and antonym for defensive?
In the thesaurus, “defensive” has 11 synonyms and 13 antonyms.
Here are synonyms and antonyms for defensive along with examples of usage in sentences.
Synonyms for defensive
Antonyms for defensive
- aggressive
- bellicose
- belligerent
- combative
- contentious
- in-your-face
- militant
- offensive
- pugnacious
- quarrelsome
- scrappy
- truculent
- warlike
Meanings of defensive
- noun
- A means, attitude or position of defense.
- adjective
- Intended for defence; protective.
- Intended to deter attack.
- Performed so as to minimise risk.
- Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism or intrusion.
- Of a bowling or fielding tactic designed to prevent the other side from scoring runs; of a batting tactic designed to prevent being out.
- Pertaining to defense, as opposed to attack.
- In a state or posture of defense.
Example Sentences
- He became defensive when asked about his recent mistakes.
- The team switched to a defensive strategy in the second half.
- She gave a defensive response, thinking she was being accused.
- The castle was surrounded by a strong defensive wall.
- His defensive behavior suggested he had something to hide.
On this page you'll find 24 synonyms, antonyms, or another words to defensive, such as: aggressive, alert, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, deterrent.
Make sure to choose synonyms and antonyms that are appropriate for the context of the sentence.
Related Words
gainsaying
- abjuration
- abnegation
- about-face
- abrogating
- abrogation
- abstaining
- adjuration
- adversarial
- adverse
- against
- against the grain
- allergic
- annulling
- annulment
- antagonistic
- anti
- antipathetic
- antithesis
- antithetical
- antonym
- antonymous
- at cross-purposes
- at odds
- averse
- backpedaling
- backtracking
- balky
- battling
- blank
- brush-off
- bucking
- cancellation
- challenging
- clashing
- cold shoulder
- colorless
- combating
- con
- conflict
- conflicting
- confronting
- confutation
- confuting
- contesting
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- contrary
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- controversion
- controverting
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- counter
- counteractive
- crossing
- cynical
- declination
- defending
- defensive
- defiance
- denial
- denying
- detrimental
- difference
- disaffirmance
- disaffirmation
- disaffirming
- disagreeing
- disagreement
- disallowance
- disallowing
- disapproval
- disavowal
- disavowing
- disclaimer
- disclaiming
- disconfirming
- discrepancy
- dismissing
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- disproof
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- dispute
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- dissension
- dissent
- dissentient
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- enemy
- exposing
- facing
- fighting
- forget it
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- gloomy
- hostile
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- inimical
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- negating
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objecting
- adversarial
- adverse
- afraid
- against
- against the grain
- aghast
- allergic
- antagonistic
- anti
- antipathetic
- antithetical
- antonymous
- at cross-purposes
- at odds
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- balked
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- battling
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- bellyaching
- bitching
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- caviling
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- censuring
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- clashing
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- crabbing
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- crossing
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- downcast
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- fussing
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- grizzling
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- hesitating
- hollering
- hopeless
- hostile
- impatient
- in opposition
- incompatible
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- inimical
- irreconcilable
- irregular
- keening
- kicking
- loath
- maundering
- moaning
- murmuring
- muttering
- nagging
- negative
- not in the mood
- obstructive
- opposed
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- protesting
- quarreling
- quarrelling
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- rebellious
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- shy
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- taking issue
- thwarted
- truculent
- uneager
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- upset
- vanquished
- wailing
- warring
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- whingeing
- whinging
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- withstanding
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- yammering
- yauping
- yawping
- yowling
safeguarding
- alert
- arresting
- attention
- averting
- balking
- battling
- buffering
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- canning
- care
- careful
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- checking
- cherishing
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- conservatory
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- defended
- defending
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- directing
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- fencing
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- garrison
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- in opposition
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- inviolable
- invulnerable
- jealous
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- lookout
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- patroler
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- pickling
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- resisting
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- sentinel
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- standing up for
- stewardship
- storage
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- unconquerable
- upholding
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- uptight
- vigilance
- vigilant
- walling
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- warm
- warring
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- withstanding
on guard
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- argus-eyed
- attentive
- averting
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- cognizant
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- defending
- defensive
- expectant
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- hyperalert
- hypervigilant
- keen
- mindful
- observant
- observing
- on the alert
- on the ball
- on the lookout
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- on the watch
- on tiptoe
- open-eyed
- prepared
- preservative
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- ready
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- safeguarding
- sensitive
- sharp
- sharp-eyed
- sleepless
- tentie
- tenty
- vigilant
- wakeful
- warding off
- wary
- watchful
- wide-awake
- withstanding