on the defensive
on the de·fen·sive
O o Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [on, awn stressed th ee dih-fen-siv]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði dɪˈfɛn sɪv/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [on, awn stressed th ee dih-fen-siv]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði dɪˈfɛn sɪv/
Definitions of on the defensive words
- phrase on the defensive If someone is on the defensive, they are trying to protect themselves or their interests because they feel unsure or threatened. 0
- noun on the defensive in an attitude or position of defence, as in being ready to reject criticism 0
Information block about the term
Parts of speech for On the defensive
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
on the defensive popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 94% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
Synonyms for on the defensive
adv on the defensive
- at bay — (of a person or animal) forced to turn and face attackers
- defensively — serving to defend; protective: defensive armament.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with o
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- Words starting with onthedef
- Words starting with onthedefe
- Words starting with onthedefen
- Words starting with onthedefens
- Words starting with onthedefensi
- Words starting with onthedefensiv
- Words starting with onthedefensive
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