Defensive, or protective, refers to actions or measures taken to guard against potential harm or danger. This can apply to various contexts, such as personal safety, cybersecurity, or even sports. For example, in sports like football, players adopt defensive strategies to prevent the opposing team from scoring. In a broader sense, being defensive can also describe a mindset where individuals react to perceived threats or criticism. This can manifest in behaviors aimed at shielding oneself from negative feedback or conflict. Understanding defensive mechanisms is important in fields like psychology, where they are studied to improve interpersonal communication and emotional well-being.