defense mechanism
noun
1
: an often unconscious mental process (such as repression) that makes possible compromise solutions to personal problems
2
: a defensive reaction by an organism
Examples of defense mechanism in a Sentence
She is projecting her anger on you as a defense mechanism.
the cell's normal defense mechanisms against infection
Recent Examples on the Web
So, the ick is often our internal defense mechanism, working overtime to protect us from potential heartache, leading us to unconsciously push away great potential partners by focusing on unimportant qualities.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Some would argue that presenting happily on social media, a contradiction of the internal experience (e.g., depression), was a defense mechanism or a means of survival.
—Essence, 10 Jan. 2025
Jod suggested that some sort of defense mechanism is also in play, but Brutus wasn’t having it.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 7 Jan. 2025
To help patients understand anxiety, therapists often compare it to being chased by a tiger, since anxiety was originally a defense mechanism against predators like tigers.
—Kathryn Kvas, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defense mechanism 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Travers, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Some would argue that presenting happily on social media, a contradiction of the internal experience (e.g., depression), was a defense mechanism or a means of survival.
—Essence, 10 Jan. 2025
Jod suggested that some sort of defense mechanism is also in play, but Brutus wasn’t having it.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 7 Jan. 2025
To help patients understand anxiety, therapists often compare it to being chased by a tiger, since anxiety was originally a defense mechanism against predators like tigers.
—Kathryn Kvas, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defense mechanism
Dictionary Entries Near defense mechanism
Cite this Entry
“Defense mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defense%20mechanism. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share