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What is another word for defensiveness?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈɛnsɪvnəs] (IPA)

Defensiveness is the state of being reactive or protective in a situation. Some synonyms for defensiveness include sensitivity, insecurity, guardedness, timidity, and apprehension. These descriptive words all imply a sense of insecurity or fear, and may be exhibited in defensive behavior. Other synonyms for defensiveness include self-protection, self-defensiveness, caution, deflection, and shielding. These words are all indicative of a mental state in which a person is attempting to protect themselves from perceived threats or criticism. Ultimately, while defensiveness can be a natural response to negative feedback or conflict, it can also impede communication and relationships.
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Synonyms for Defensiveness:

What are the hypernyms for Defensiveness?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the hyponyms for Defensiveness?

Hyponyms are more specific words categorized under a broader term, known as a hypernym.

Usage examples for Defensiveness

If their reticences seemed all in the wrong places, and hand in hand with their defensiveness went an eager volubility about the things Louie would have kept to herself, why, so much the more laughable the whole joke.
"The Story of Louie"
Oliver Onions
Jealousy is a fierce insistence on ourselves, an instinctive intolerance of our fellow-creatures, ranging between an insatiable aggression as its buoyant phase and a savage defensiveness when it is touched by fear.
"The Passionate Friends"
Herbert George Wells
He had held her hands and looked into her eyes half a minute, like a dear comrade; as little arousing her instincts of defensiveness as the clearing heavens; and sisterly love for it was his due, a sister's kiss.
"The Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith"
George Meredith

Famous quotes with Defensiveness

  • In a person who is open to experience each stimulus is freely relayed through the nervous system, without being distorted by any process of defensiveness.
    Carl Rogers
  • In a person who is open to experience each stimulus is freely relayed through the nervous system, without being distorted by any process of defensiveness.
    Carl Rogers
  • She was devastatingly cruel about our home town and told an elaborate, embossed tale about how she made good her escape. She referred to it as 'The Planet Brisbane' and ridiculed its unpleasant combination of smug self-satisfaction and provincial defensiveness.
    Susan Ruth Johnson
  • By definition, the conventional wisdom of the day is widely accepted, continually reiterated and regarded not as ideology but as reality itself. Rebelling against "reality," even when its limitations are clearly perceived, is always difficult.rebels risk losing their jobs, failing in school, incurring the wrath of parents and spouses, suffering social ostracism. Often vociferous conservatism is sheer defensiveness: People are afraid to be suckers, to get their hopes up, to rethink their hard-won adjustments, to be branded bad or crazy.
    Ellen Willis

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