Defensive

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

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

3. (a.) In a state or posture of defense.

4. (n.) That which defends; a safeguard.

Thesaurus Entries

covering, custodial, defending, fostering, guardian, guarding, immunizing, parental, preventive, prophylactic, protecting, protective, safeguarding, screening, self-defensive, self-preservative, self-protective, sheltering, shielding, tutelary, vigilant, watchful