| a. | 1. | Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive; | |||
| 2. | Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; - opposed to offensive; | ||||
| 3. | In a state or posture of defense. | ||||
| n. | 1. | That which defends; a safeguard.
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| Noun | 1. | defensive - an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive') Synonyms: defensive attitude |
| Adj. | 1. | defensive - intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack; "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance" Antonyms: offensive - for the purpose of attack rather than defense; "offensive weapons" |
| 2. | defensive - attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing Synonyms: justificative, justificatory | |
| 3. | defensive - serving as or appropriate for defending or protecting; "defensive fortifications"; "defensive dikes to protect against floods" |