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defensive
de·fen·sive / diˈfensiv/ • adj. 1. used or intended to defend or protect: troops in defensive positions. ∎ (in sports) relating to or intended as defense. 2. very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism: he was very defensive about that side of his life. PHRASES: on the defensive expecting or resisting criticism or attack. DERIVATIVES: de·fen·sive·ness n. |
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Cite this article
"defensive." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "defensive." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-defensive.html "defensive." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-defensive.html |
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defensive
defensive
•impassive, massive, passive
•expansive
•aggressive, compressive, concessive, degressive, depressive, digressive, excessive, expressive, impressive, obsessive, oppressive, possessive, progressive, recessive, regressive, repressive, retrogressive, successive, transgressive
•reflexive
•apprehensive, coextensive, comprehensive, defensive, expensive, extensive, intensive, offensive, ostensive, pensive, suspensive
•counteroffensive
•abrasive, evasive, invasive, persuasive, pervasive
•adhesive, cohesive
•missive, omissive, permissive, submissive
•decisive, derisive, divisive, incisive
•irresponsive, responsive
•corrosive, explosive, implosive, plosive
•abusive, allusive, collusive, conclusive, conducive, delusive, diffusive, effusive, elusive, exclusive, illusive, inclusive, intrusive, obtrusive, preclusive, reclusive, seclusive
•percussive
•compulsive, convulsive, impulsive, propulsive, repulsive
•purposive
•coercive, cursive, excursive, subversive
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Cite this article
"defensive." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "defensive." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-defensive.html "defensive." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-defensive.html |
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