防御的(ぼうぎょてき)

ぼうぎょてき
na-adjective
defensive; protective
descriptive
1. defensive; protective
Focused on defense rather than offense; intended to protect against attack or criticism.
防御的(ぼうぎょてき)な姿勢(しせい)を取(と)る。
To take a defensive stance.
He became defensive in response to criticism.
They approached the match with a defensive strategy.

Forms

  • 防御的(ぼうぎょてき)な + noun (adnominal)
  • 防御的(ぼうぎょてき)に (adverbially)
  • 防御的(ぼうぎょてき)だ (predicative)

防御(ぼうぎょ) (defense, protection) + 的(てき) (-like, -ic)

Usage

Covers both physical defense and the psychological sense of guarding oneself against criticism:

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