defensive posture

collocation in English

meaningsofdefensiveandposture

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withposture.
defensive
adjective
uk
/dɪˈfen.sɪv/us
/dɪˈfen.sɪv/
used to protect someone or something ...
See more atdefensive
posture
noun
uk
/ˈpɒs.tʃər/us
/ˈpɑːs.tʃɚ/
the way in which someone usually holds their shoulders, neck, and back, or a particular position in which someone stands, ...
See more atposture

(Definition ofdefensiveandposturefrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofdefensive posture

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Adefensivepostureinvolves the loss of initiative, with all its disadvantages.
From theCambridge English Corpus
The need for protection under thisdefensiveposturehas even been offered as a justification for taking preemptive aggressive action.
From theCambridge English Corpus
It is simply a question of increasing ourdefensiveposture.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We must see a change to adefensiveposture.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Basically, they adopted adefensiveposture, as one would expect.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There was no place for adefensiveposture.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
He began training his troops to have a pre-emptive rather than adefensiveposture.
From
Wikipedia
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It stresses that conquest is easy and security difficult to obtain fromdefensiveposture.
From
Wikipedia
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At the same time, the forces were modernized and reoriented towards adefensiveposture.
From
Wikipedia
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Prey that moves towards the cat with confidence may be exhibiting an aggressivedefensiveposture.
From
Wikipedia
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It comes not only from the trade unions, but to some extent from management, which often instinctively adopts adefensiveposture.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It would be wrong for us in ourdefensiveposturenot to take account of the threat represented by those forces.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is my judgment that in the main, although not always, these measures have been introduced from adefensivepostureand not from an offensive posture.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
His mockery of obscene images is portrayed as adefensivepostureto hide their titillating effect on him.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
They can also assume adefensivepostureand charge a power bar that allows them to unleash a blast that attacks all enemies.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
When detecting the seismics of an alarm call signalling danger from predators, elephants enter adefensivepostureand family groups will pack together.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Most of the headquarters staff were convinced that the strategy would be to remain in adefensivepostureuntil the situation clarified.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Growling is used to indicate a willingness to attack, while the higher-pitched snarl is used when adopting adefensiveposture.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Some specimens can be extremely docile and easy to handle, while others might not tolerate handling and display their above-mentioneddefensiveposture.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Anti-tank tactics during the war were largely integrated with the offensive ordefensivepostureof the troops being supported, usually infantry.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
If the threat remains motionless, the snake will quickly attempt to escape, but at any sign of movement will adopt itsdefensivepostureagain.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
He stated that rather than adefensivepostureusually taken by wolves feeling threatened, it was one of assertive aggression with no hint of fear or insecurity.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
It is considered a variant of "chdan-no-kamae" and therefore appearing as adefensiveposture, but instead it is used to deflect blows and create striking opportunities.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
The armed forces began mobilization, call up of reservist, and deployed army, navy and air force personal on ground duty at adefensivepostureat first.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofdefensive
Go to the definition ofposture
See other collocations withposture