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.

For Divon, Pallywood is less a conspiracy theory than a psychological defense mechanism.

From Slate • May 30, 2025

“It was a defense mechanism because of my past history.”

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2025

Scientists believe that algae use bioluminescence as a defense mechanism — to scare off hungry sea creatures or call attention to their location, which draws the predators’ predators.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2024

To figure out the mechanism of the observed parent-of-origin effect, the Burga group decided to study the main germline defense mechanism against selfish genetic elements, known as the piRNA pathway.

From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2024

But then my body took over and this primal defense mechanism, said, No, we will not stand for this.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy