Synonyms for defensive
| Grammar : Adj |
| Spell : dih-fen-siv |
| Phonetic Transcription : dɪˈfɛn sɪv |
Top 10 synonyms for defensive
Définition of defensive
Origin :- c.1400 (adj. and noun), from French défensif (14c.), from Medieval Latin defensivus, from defens-, past participle stem of Latin defendere (see defend). Of persons, "alert to reject criticism," from 1919. Related: Defensively; defensiveness.
- adj protective, watchful
- But for the most part one side in battle is on the offensive; the other on the defensive.
- Extract from : « Camps, Quarters and Casual Places » by Archibald Forbes
- But the Americans and their abettors were not content with defensive law.
- Extract from : « The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson » by Robert Southey
- We are not all arrayed in two opposite ranks; the offensive and the defensive.
- Extract from : « Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit » by Charles Dickens
- I want our Volunteers to be more than a defensive organisation.
- Extract from : « Changing Winds » by St. John G. Ervine
- We must act on the defensive this winter, till reinforcements arrive.
- Extract from : « The Fall of British Tyranny » by John Leacock
- The Iroquois had shields of hide stretched on hoop for defensive armor.
- Extract from : « Harper's Young People, July 6, 1880 » by Various
- That he fenced only on the defensive, and he wondered what might his motive be.
- Extract from : « The Tavern Knight » by Rafael Sabatini
- And thus you will have at once defensive armour for the shins and stockings for the feet.
- Extract from : « On Horsemanship » by Xenophon
- "That's all right," she declared with defensive inconsequence.
- Extract from : « The Market-Place » by Harold Frederic
- He sprang to his feet, prepared to be instantly on the defensive.
- Extract from : « The Fiery Totem » by Argyll Saxby
Antonyms for defensive
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019