defensiveness

de·fen·sive  (d-fnsv)

adj.

1. Intended or appropriate for defending; protective.

2.

a. Intended to withstand or deter aggression or attack: a defensive weapons system; defensive behavior.

b. Of or relating to the effort to prevent an opponent from gaining points in a game or athletic contest.

c. Performed so as to avoid risk, danger, or legal liability: defensive driving; defensive medicine,

3. Of or relating to defense.

4. Psychology Constantly protecting oneself from criticism, exposure of one's shortcomings, or other real or perceived threats to the ego.

n.

1. A means of defense.

2. An attitude or position of defense.

Idiom:

on the defensive

Prepared to withstand or counter aggression or attack.

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de·fensive·ly adv.

de·fensive·ness n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

defensiveness - excessive sensitivity to criticism; "his defensiveness was manifested in hurt silence"; "the fear of being sued for malpractice has magnified physicians' defensiveness" sensitiveness, sensitivity - the ability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment bunker mentality - defensiveness resulting from repeated attacks; "after so many suicide bombings the Israelis have to resist developing a bunker mentality"