1. used or intended to protect someone or something from attack
用於或旨在保護某人或某物免受攻擊的
The team played a defensive strategy after taking the lead.
球隊在取得領先後採取了防守策略。
The country has built a strong defensive wall along its border.
該國沿其邊境建造了一道堅固的防禦牆。
Defensive Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
defensive
adjective
快速理解
What does "Defensive" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Defensive"?
形容為保護自己、反駁批評或防止攻擊的狀態或行為。
- 1
防衛的
EN: intended to protect against attack or criticism
翻譯: 旨在防禦攻擊或批評的
- 2
戒備的
EN: behaving in a way that shows you expect to be criticized or attacked
翻譯: 行為表現出預期會被批評或攻擊的
- 3
辯護的
EN: attempting to justify or explain one's actions or opinions
翻譯: 試圖為自己的行為或觀點辯護或解釋的
- 4
（運動）防守的
EN: relating to or intended for defense in sports
翻譯: 在運動中與防守相關或旨在防守的
小提醒：注意 'defensive' 不只是指身體上的防衛，更常用來描述一種容易感到被冒犯、急於為自己辯護的心理狀態或態度。
發音（How to Pronounce "Defensive" in English）
How to pronounce "Defensive" in English?"Defensive" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Defensive" from YouTube Videos
Unknown channel
“The first step is to get the queen, But they were extremely defensive. I have to be careful not to cause alarm.”
(1 out of 5)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Defensive"?How does "Defensive" change by context?
2. behaving in a way that shows you feel people are criticizing you
表現出你感覺受到他人批評的
He became very defensive when I asked about his work.
當我問起他的工作時，他變得非常戒備。
There's no need to be so defensive—I was just asking a question.
沒必要這麼防衛心重——我只是問個問題。
3. relating to or used in defense in sports
與體育運動中的防守相關或用於防守的
She is one of the best defensive players in the league.
她是聯盟中最好的防守球員之一。
The coach focused on improving their defensive skills.
教練專注於提升他們的防守技巧。
4. showing an anxious desire to defend or justify oneself or one's actions
表現出急於為自己或自己的行為辯護或辯解的
Her defensive tone made it clear she felt accused.
她辯護的語氣清楚地表明她感覺受到了指責。
He wrote a long, defensive email explaining his decision.
他寫了一封冗長、充滿辯解意味的電子郵件來解釋他的決定。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Defensive"?How to make natural sentences with "Defensive"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| be/get defensive | 變得有防衛心；為自己辯護 | He immediately got defensive when I asked about the mistake. (當我問起那個錯誤時，他立刻變得有防衛心。) |
| defensive + noun | 防禦性的…；出於防衛的… | The team adopted a defensive strategy for the second half. (球隊在下半場採取了防禦性策略。) |
| put/be on the defensive | 使…處於守勢；處於防衛狀態 | The tough questions from the press put the minister on the defensive. (記者們的尖銳問題讓部長處於守勢。) |
| sound/look/seem defensive | 聽起來/看起來/似乎有防衛心 | Her email sounded very defensive, even though I wasn't accusing her. (她的電子郵件聽起來很有防衛心，即使我並沒有指責她。) |
| in a defensive manner/position/posture | 以防衛的態度/處於防衛的位置/姿態 | He crossed his arms in a defensive posture. (他以一種防衛的姿態交叉雙臂。) |
用法說明
How is "Defensive" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Defensive"?
defensive about doing vs defensive to do
- "defensive about doing something" 表示對自己所做的某件事感到防衛、敏感，急於辯解。
- "defensive to do something" 則不自然，通常不是標準用法。
- 若要表達「為了防衛而去做某事」，更自然的說法是 "act defensively to do something" 或 "become defensive and do something"。
- 在 "It is + adjective + to..." 的結構中，使用 "defensive" 也很奇怪，應改用其他形容詞，如 "prudent"（謹慎的）。 EN: She was very defensive about missing the meeting. 翻譯: 她對於自己錯過會議一事顯得非常防衛。
EN:It is defensive to save money for emergencies.
翻譯:為了應急而存錢是防衛性的。
總結建議
在描述人的防衛心態時，應使用 "defensive about + (doing) something"，避免使用 "defensive to do" 的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Defensive" and similar words?How to choose "Defensive" vs alternatives?
defensive vs protective
「defensive」強調對批評或攻擊的「防衛性反應」，常帶有負面或情緒化的意味；「protective」則強調「保護性行為」，出於關心或責任，通常是正面或中性的。
defensive vs defending
「defensive」是描述狀態或態度的形容詞；「defending」是描述「防衛行為」的現在分詞或動名詞，強調正在進行的動作。
defensive vs self-conscious
「defensive」是對外部批評的「外向反應」；「self-conscious」是對自我形象或他人看法的「內向不安」，不一定涉及辯護。
口語用法
How is "Defensive" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Defensive"?
引述
在重複或引述他人對自己或他人的批評時，常用來表示不認同或反駁的立場。 EN: So when he called my work sloppy, I got a bit defensive and listed all the checks I'd done. 翻譯: 所以當他說我工作馬虎時，我有點防衛性地列出了我做過的所有檢查。
EN:She's always saying "Don't be so defensive!" when I try to explain my side.
翻譯:每當我試圖解釋我的立場時，她總是說「別這麼防衛心重！」。
語氣強調
在口語中，常與某些副詞或短語連用，以強調防衛心態的程度或立即性。 EN: I know I get overly defensive whenever my cooking is mentioned. 翻譯: 我知道每當提到我的廚藝，我就會變得過度防衛。
EN:He immediately went on the defensive as soon as feedback started.
翻譯:反饋一開始，他立刻就進入了防衛狀態。
停頓填充
在思考如何回應批評或敏感話題時，可用來描述自己或他人的即時反應，作為對話的填充。 EN: I'm not trying to be defensive here, but I really did follow the guidelines. 翻譯: 我不是要在這裡表現得防衛，但我真的遵循了指導方針。
EN:Okay, this might sound defensive, however, let me clarify what actually happened.
翻譯:好吧，這聽起來可能有點防衛，不過，讓我澄清一下實際發生的事。
注意：在正式寫作（如學術論文、商業報告）中，應避免使用 "I got defensive" 或 "sounded defensive" 這類主觀且口語化的描述，建議改用更客觀的表述，例如 "adopted a defensive stance" 或 "responded defensively"。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Defensive"?What fixed phrases with "Defensive" should I remember?
on the defensive
prepositional phrase
處於防禦或辯護的姿態；被迫採取守勢
defensive position
adjective + noun
防禦性位置；防守姿態
defensive driving
adjective + noun
防禦性駕駛
get/become defensive
verb + adjective
變得防衛、開始辯護
defensive measure
adjective + noun
防禦措施
play defensive
verb + adjective (as adverb)
採取防守打法；行事保守
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Defensive"?Which "Defensive" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He is very defensive about his mistakes.
✓He is very defensive when his mistakes are pointed out.
The word 'defensive' describes a reactive attitude or behavior, not a general personality trait about a topic. It is used when someone is responding to criticism, attack, or perceived threat.
×We need to take a defensive action to improve sales.
✓We need to take a proactive (or aggressive) action to improve sales.
'Defensive' means intended to defend or protect against attack or criticism. It is not used for positive, forward-looking initiatives. For improving a situation, words like 'proactive', 'aggressive', or 'positive' are more appropriate.
×I feel defensive to protect my family.
✓I feel protective of my family. / I become defensive if someone criticizes my family.
'Defensive' describes a state of being ready to defend against criticism or attack. 'Protective' is the correct adjective for a general feeling of wanting to keep someone safe. Use 'defensive' for a reactive stance.
×He answered in a defensive voice.
✓He answered in a defensive tone.
While 'voice' refers to the physical sound, 'tone' refers to the quality, feeling, or attitude conveyed by the way someone speaks. 'Defensive' is an attitude, so it modifies 'tone'.
×The team played a very defensive game and won 5-0.
✓The team played a very offensive (or attacking) game and won 5-0.
In sports, a 'defensive' strategy focuses on preventing the opponent from scoring. A high score like 5-0 typically results from an 'offensive' or 'attacking' strategy. This mistake confuses the core meaning of the word.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Defensive"?What are tense/participle forms of "Defensive"?