| Noun | 1. | defensive - an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive')attitude, mental attitude - a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways; "he had the attitude that work was fun" | |
| Adj. | 1. | defensive - intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack; "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance"protective - intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind; "a protective covering"; "the use of protective masks and equipment"; "protective coatings"; "kept the drunken sailor in protective custody"; "animals with protective coloring"; "protective tariffs" offensive - for the purpose of attack rather than defense; "offensive weapons" | |
| 2. | defensive - attempting to justify or defend in speech or writingapologetic, excusatory - offering or expressing apology; "an apologetic note"; "an apologetic manner" | |
| 3. | defensive - serving as or appropriate for defending or protecting; "defensive fortifications"; "defensive dikes to protect against floods"protective - intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind; "a protective covering"; "the use of protective masks and equipment"; "protective coatings"; "kept the drunken sailor in protective custody"; "animals with protective coloring"; "protective tariffs" | |