defence mechanism

Noun

Meaning

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

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

defense defence defense mechanism defense reaction defence reaction

Hypernyms

process unconscious process psychoanalytic 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