defensive

Definitions

Used or intended to defend or protect.

Anxious to challenge or avoid criticism; overly sensitive to perceived slights.

Relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest.

Examples

The team adopted a defensive strategy to protect their narrow lead in the final minutes of the game.

He became very defensive when I asked him about the missing documents.

The castle was built with strong defensive walls to withstand enemy attacks.

Synonyms

protective guarded shielding defending resistant wary cautious

Antonyms

aggressive offensive assaulting attacking vulnerable exposed unprotected