defense mechanism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
People look numb, likely a defense mechanism to deal with insurmountable stress, according to Selcuk.
From Reuters
The insecticides that target disease-spreading mosquitoes are running into nature’s ultimate defense mechanism: evolution.
From Washington Post
“But it’s a defense mechanism. I still care about the city that made me, and nothing feels as good as playing to a New York crowd.”
From Seattle Times
If I really want to psychoanalyze myself, it could be, like, just a defense mechanism; I prefer to just kind of live my life like I’m gonna die any minute or something.
From Los Angeles Times
Like any comedian, he’s got a self-effacing defense mechanism.
From Los Angeles Times
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.