WordNet
n. an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive') [syn: defensive]
Usage examples of "defensive attitude".
France, in particular, had been savage in the derision it heaped upon America's bumbling efforts in the Balkans, and the French government had become even more anti-US as its own failure to solve the same problems drove it into an ever more defensive attitude.
France, in particular, had been savage in the derision it heaped upon Americas bumbling efforts in the Balkans, and the French government had become even more anti-US as its own failure to solve the same problems drove it into an ever more defensive attitude.
He admired her control, the light of challenge which covered the fear in her eyes, the defensive attitude she had adopted.
The defensive attitude, which Bellows's initial statement had rekindled, had melted.
As soon as Esau Gondele lost contact, the line stopped dead, and went into a defensive attitude, only Roland moved up and knelt out on his flank, keeping good separation so that a single burst could not take them both.
It was years since I had learned that to rise to slights was to be forced into a defensive attitude which only benefited my opponent.
He could see that she was stiffening into a defensive attitude expecting him to refuse.
When you factored in his defensive attitude toward her, it added up.
God, in a strangely defensive attitude for an omnipotent being, is worried that men intend to build a tower that will reach to heaven.