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1. Intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack
   "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance"
    
2. Attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing
   - justificative, justificatory
    
3. Sensitive to criticism, trying to avoid or challenge any criticism

1. An attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase 'on the defensive')
   - defensive attitude

Derived forms: defensives

See also: antiaircraft, antisubmarine, antitank, apologetic, defend, defending, defensively, en garde, excusatory, protective

Type of: attitude, mental attitude

Antonym: offensive

Encyclopedia: Defensive