defensiveness meaning

UK US /dɪˈfɛnsɪvnəs/ 4 syllables

defensiveness (noun): excessive sensitivity to criticism.

Definition of defensiveness

  1. excessive sensitivity to criticism
    • his defensiveness was manifested in hurt silence
    • the fear of being sued for malpractice has magnified physicians' defensiveness

    Type of: sensitivity

    Kinds: bunker mentality

How to pronounce defensiveness

defensiveness is pronounced /dɪˈfɛnsɪvnəs/ in American English. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

Scrabble score: 20 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with DE · words ending in SS · 13-letter words

More about defensiveness on Wikipedia.