defensively
adverb/dɪˈfɛnsɪvli/
Frequency rank: #9,719 of 20,003 in the WORDED list (wordfreq data)
Meaning
in a way that shows one is trying to protect oneself from criticism or attack.
Example sentence
He answered the reporter's questions defensively, folding his arms and avoiding eye contact.
Synonyms & related words
- guardedly
- cautiously
- protectively
- warily
More words in ranks 9,701–9,800
- compelTo force someone to do something.
- conduita channel or pipe through which something (such as water, wire, or information) is conveyed.
- constraintSomething that limits what you can do; a restriction.
- conveyora continuous moving belt or mechanism used to transport goods or materials from one place to another.
- decimalrelating to or expressed in a system of numbers based on units of ten.
- defunctNo longer existing or functioning.
- degradeto make something worse in quality or value; to lower in dignity or rank.
- diffuseto spread or reduce something, such as tension or light, over a wide area or in a gentle way.
- disapprovalA feeling or expression of not approving of something or someone.
- disobediencerefusal or failure to obey rules, laws, or someone in authority