reply defensively

Frequency: 6.89.2 per million words

to answer a question or accusation in a guarded or protective manner

defensivelyVERB + defensively

Categories:

reply

Examples (10)

  • When asked about the project's delay, she replied defensively, 'It wasn't my fault.'
  • He tends to reply defensively whenever his decisions are questioned.
  • The minister replied defensively to the journalist's probing questions.
  • Try not to reply so defensively; we're just trying to understand the situation.
  • She replied defensively that she had done everything according to the manual.
  • If you criticize his work, he will almost certainly reply defensively.
  • His pattern of replying defensively made his colleagues hesitant to offer feedback.
  • 'I'm doing my best,' he replied defensively when his boss pointed out a mistake.
  • Feeling cornered, the suspect replied defensively to every question from the detective.
  • The child replied defensively when his mother asked if he'd finished his homework.