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What is another word for defensive?

Need synonyms for defensive? Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead.

Adjective
Used or intended to defend or protect
“The city was enclosed by a defensive wall and a moat.”
Adjective
Used or intended to avert or thwart danger or disaster
“In its 1988 report, it announced a restrictive policy regarding legal defensive measures against hostile takeovers.”
Adjective
Wary, on guard for danger
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“This insecurity leads us to be highly defensive and watchful for our own safety.”
Adjective
Sensitive to, or very anxious to challenge or avoid, criticism
“Host Alan Kohler quite nicely brought out this defensive side with some telling jabs.”
Adjective
Distrustful of others
“Citizens are becoming defensive and distrustful of their civic leaders as they lose all trust in their ability to represent them honestly and with any sense of integrity.”
Adjective
Aiming to justify or excuse oneself or one's actions
“He wanted her to answer without him trying to fill in the uncomfortable silence between them with defensive excuses or pleas.”
Adjective
Carried out as a precaution
Adjective
Of, pertaining to, or exhibiting opposition
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Adjective
Resistant and unwilling to accept or consider
Adjective
Promoting or producing vindication
Adjective
Responding to or acting to counteract something when it happens (rather than beforehand)
Adjective
(zoology) Defensive or repulsive, particularly as applied to glands of certain invertebrates
Noun
A (heightened) state of being ready to defend oneself
“Find a way to encourage dialogue rather than putting him on the defensive.”
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