react defensively
Frequency: 7.010.5 per million words
to respond to a situation or statement in a way that shows you feel you are being criticized
Categories:
Examples (10)
- When criticized, he tends to react defensively.
- She reacted defensively when I asked about the missed deadline.
- Why are you reacting so defensively? I was only trying to help.
- It's natural to react defensively when you feel attacked.
- Try not to react defensively; listen to the feedback with an open mind.
- Reacting defensively is often a sign of underlying insecurity.
- He will almost certainly react defensively if you question his authority.
- I've learned not to react so defensively to constructive criticism.
- Although the comments were mild, she still reacted defensively.
- He was reacting defensively throughout the entire performance review.