serving to defend; protective

defensive armament.

made or carried on for the purpose of resisting attack

defensive treaty; a defensive attitude.

of or pertaining to defense.

(of stocks, securities, etc.)

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, esp. during a decline in the economy.

excessively concerned with guarding against the real or imagined threat of criticism, injury to one's ego, or exposure of one's shortcomings.

a position or attitude of defense

to be on the defensive about one's mistakes.

Obsolete . something that serves to defend.

adjective

undefensive , unprotective , unwary , unwatchful

adjective

arresting , averting , balking , checking , conservative , coping with , defending , foiling , forestalling , frustrating , guarding , in opposition , interrupting , opposing , preservative , preventive , protecting , resistive , safeguarding , thwarting , uptight * , warding off , withstandingnotes:defendable means capable of being protected or justified; defensible means capable of being defended or justified; defensive means attempting to justify or defend