defence mechanism

Noun

Meaning

(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

defense defence passive resistance immune response defense mechanism defence reaction defense reaction

Hypernyms

process psychoanalytic process unconscious process

Hyponyms

conversion compensation isolation projection displacement denial

Examples

We got into life sciences as a defence mechanism in the late '90s. Mukesh Ambani

Until I was about 14, I was a fat boy, or at least I looked like a fat boy. I think that being funny was a bit of a defence mechanism for me, so I ended up being a bit of a joker. Pippa Evans

Close letter words and terms

defence from the rear defence in depth defence lawyer defence policies defence policy defence potential