Defensive vs. Offensive

Defensiveadjective

Intended for defence; protective.

‘a defensive perimeter’;

Offensiveadjective

Causing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, or hatred.

‘Some people find pornography offensive.’;

Defensiveadjective

Intended to deter attack.

‘a defensive missile system’;

Offensiveadjective

Relating to an offense or attack, as opposed to defensive.

‘The army's offensive capabilities. An offensive weapon.’;

Defensiveadjective

Performed so as to minimise risk.

‘defensive driving’;

Offensiveadjective

(sports) Having to do with play directed at scoring.

‘The offensive coordinator is responsible for ordering all rushing plays.’;

Defensiveadjective

Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism or intrusion.

Offensivenoun

An attack.

‘The Marines today launched a major offensive.’;

Defensiveadjective

(cricket) Of a bowling or fielding tactic designed to prevent the other side from scoring runs; of a batting tactic designed to prevent being out.

Offensivenoun

(uncountable) The posture of attacking or being able to attack.

‘He took the offensive in the press, accusing his opponent of corruption.’;

Defensiveadjective

Pertaining to defense, as opposed to attack.

‘The victim held up his hand to repel the attacker and received a defensive knife wound.’;

Offensiveadjective

Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words.

Defensiveadjective

In a state or posture of defense.

Offensiveadjective

Giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell; offensive sounds.

Defensivenoun

A means, attitude or position of defense.

Offensiveadjective

Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in attacking; - opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war; offensive weapons.

Defensiveadjective

Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive; as, defensive armor.

‘A moat defensive to a house.’;

Offensivenoun

The state or posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; - opposed to defensive.

Defensiveadjective

Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; - opposed to offensive; as, defensive war.

Offensivenoun

the action of attacking an enemy

Defensiveadjective

In a state or posture of defense.

Offensiveadjective

violating or tending to violate or offend against;

‘violative of the principles of liberty’; ‘considered such depravity offensive against all laws of humanity’;

Defensivenoun

That which defends; a safeguard.

‘Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensives.’;

Offensiveadjective

for the purpose of attack rather than defense;

‘offensive weapons’;

Defensivenoun

an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive')

Offensiveadjective

causing anger or annoyance;

‘offensive remarks’;

Defensiveadjective

intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack;

‘defensive weapons’; ‘a defensive stance’;

Offensiveadjective

morally offensive;

‘an unsavory reputation’; ‘an unsavory scandal’;

Defensiveadjective

attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing

Offensiveadjective

unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses;

‘offensive odors’;

Defensiveadjective

serving as or appropriate for defending or protecting;

‘defensive fortifications’; ‘defensive dikes to protect against floods’;

Offensiveadjective

of an offensive substitute for inoffensive terminology;

‘`nigger' is a dysphemistic term for `African-American'’;

Offensiveadjective

causing or able to cause nausea;

‘a nauseating smell’; ‘nauseous offal’; ‘a sickening stench’;