Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [dih-fen-siv]
- /dɪˈfɛn sɪv/
- /dɪˈfen.sɪv/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [dih-fen-siv]
- /dɪˈfɛn sɪv/
Definitions of defensively word
- adjective defensively serving to defend; protective: defensive armament. 1
- adjective defensively made or carried on for the purpose of resisting attack: defensive treaty; a defensive attitude. 1
- adjective defensively of or relating to defense. 1
- adjective defensively able to provide moderately steady growth with minimal risk: The bank has put a large percentage of its assets in defensive rather than growth stocks. considered stable and relatively safe for investment, especially during a decline in the economy. 1
- adjective defensively excessively concerned with guarding against the real or imagined threat of criticism, injury to one's ego, or exposure of one's shortcomings. 1
- noun defensively a position or attitude of defense: to be on the defensive about one's mistakes. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of defensively
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; < Medieval Latin dēfēnsīvus (see defense, -ive); replacing Middle English defensif < Middle French < Medieval Latin, as above
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Defensively
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
defensively popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 50% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
defensively usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for defensively
adv defensively
- carefully — cautious in one's actions: Be careful when you cross the street.
- at bay — (of a person or animal) forced to turn and face attackers
- on the defensive — If someone is on the defensive, they are trying to protect themselves or their interests because they feel unsure or threatened.
adverb defensively
- sensitively — endowed with sensation; having perception through the senses.
- protectively — having the quality or function of protecting: a protective covering.
- warily — in a wary manner.
- cautiously — showing, using, or characterized by caution: a cautious man; To be cautious is often to show wisdom.
- apologetically — containing an apology or excuse for a fault, failure, insult, injury, etc.: An apologetic letter to his creditors explained the delay.
Antonyms for defensively
adv defensively
- offensively — causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying: offensive television commercials.
adverb defensively
- aggressively — characterized by or tending toward unprovoked offensives, attacks, invasions, or the like; militantly forward or menacing: aggressive acts against a neighboring country.
Top questions with defensively
- you drive defensively when you?
- what is driving defensively?
- asylees who have applied for asylum defensively?
- how to drive defensively?
- what does driving defensively mean?
- you are driving defensively when you?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with d
- Words starting with de
- Words starting with def
- Words starting with defe
- Words starting with defen
- Words starting with defens
- Words starting with defensi
- Words starting with defensiv
- Words starting with defensive
- Words starting with defensivel
- Words starting with defensively