| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | alert | Ready to notice danger. |
| 2. | answering | Responding to criticism or charges. |
| 3. | anticipatory | Done in expectation of trouble. |
| 4. | apologetic | Showing regret or offering excuses. |
| 5. | armored | Protected by armor or defenses. |
| 6. | armoured | British spelling of armored. |
| 7. | belligerent | Aggressive and ready to fight. |
| 8. | bristling | Reacting with angry defensiveness. |
| 9. | buffering | Cushioning against harm or impact. |
| 10. | buttoned-up | Restrained and not expressive. |
| 11. | cagey | Guarded and reluctant to reveal. |
| 12. | careful | Taking care to avoid harm. |
| 13. | cautious | Careful to avoid risk. |
| 14. | circumspect | Careful and aware of risks. |
| 15. | closed | Not open or receptive. |
| 16. | conservative | Cautious and avoiding unnecessary risk. |
| 17. | countering | Acting against an attack. |
| 18. | covering | Protecting by giving cover. |
| 19. | danger-conscious | Aware of possible danger. |
| 20. | defending | Protecting against attack or criticism. |
| 21. | deflective | Turning criticism away. |
| 22. | denying | Refusing to accept blame. |
| 23. | discreet | Careful about what is revealed. |
| 24. | distrustful | Inclined not to trust. |
| 25. | edgy | Nervous, tense, or irritable. |
| 26. | emotionally guarded | Careful about showing feelings. |
| 27. | evasive | Avoiding direct answers. |
| 28. | exculpatory | Intended to clear from blame. |
| 29. | excuse-making | Trying to explain away fault. |
| 30. | fortified | Strengthened against attack. |
| 31. | fortifying | Strengthening against attack or harm. |
| 32. | guarded | Careful and not fully open. |
| 33. | guardian | Acting to protect or guard. |
| 34. | guarding | Protecting or watching over. |
| 35. | hostile | Unfriendly and opposed. |
| 36. | huffy | Easily offended and resentful. |
| 37. | hurt | Emotionally pained by criticism. |
| 38. | indignant | Angry at perceived unfairness. |
| 39. | insecure | Lacking confidence and easily threatened. |
| 40. | insulating | Protecting from outside effects. |
| 41. | insurance-like | Providing protection against possible loss. |
| 42. | irritable | Easily annoyed or angered. |
| 43. | jealous | Protective from fear of loss. |
| 44. | jumpy | Nervous and easily startled. |
| 45. | justificatory | Aimed at giving justification. |
| 46. | keeping guard | Acting as a guard. |
| 47. | leery | Suspicious and cautious. |
| 48. | militant | Combative in support of a cause. |
| 49. | mistrustful | Not trusting others. |
| 50. | motherly | Protective in a caring way. |
| 51. | noncommittal | Avoiding a clear position. |
| 52. | obstructive | Blocking progress or action. |
| 53. | offended | Hurt or angered by remarks. |
| 54. | on edge | Nervous and easily upset. |
| 55. | on guard | Ready against danger or attack. |
| 56. | on the alert | Watchful for danger. |
| 57. | on the lookout | Watching for possible danger. |
| 58. | on watch | Guarding or watching carefully. |
| 59. | oppositional | Inclined to oppose. |
| 60. | overprotective | Protecting too much. |
| 61. | oversensitive | Too easily offended or hurt. |
| 62. | preservative | Serving to preserve or protect. |
| 63. | preventive | Intended to stop harm beforehand. |
| 64. | protected | Kept safe from harm. |
| 65. | protecting | Keeping someone or something safe. |
| 66. | protective | Intended to protect from harm. |
| 67. | prudent | Careful and sensible about risk. |
| 68. | questioning | Showing doubt or caution. |
| 69. | reinforced | Strengthened for protection or resistance. |
| 70. | repelling | Driving away attack or danger. |
| 71. | reserved | Not open or forthcoming. |
| 72. | resisting | Opposing pressure, attack, or influence. |
| 73. | risk-averse | Unwilling to take risks. |
| 74. | risk-avoiding | Avoiding possible danger or loss. |
| 75. | safe | Protected from danger or risk. |
| 76. | safeguarding | Protecting from loss or damage. |
| 77. | secure | Protected against danger or threat. |
| 78. | securely guarded | Strongly protected or watched. |
| 79. | self-protective | Acting to protect oneself. |
| 80. | sentinel | Serving as a watchful guard. |
| 81. | sheltering | Giving protection from danger. |
| 82. | shielded | Protected from harm or exposure. |
| 83. | shielding | Serving to shield from harm. |
| 84. | testy | Easily irritated or impatient. |
| 85. | tetchy | Irritable and touchy. |
| 86. | thin-skinned | Easily hurt by criticism. |
| 87. | threat-aware | Alert to possible threats. |
| 88. | tight-lipped | Unwilling to talk openly. |
| 89. | touchy | Easily offended or upset. |
| 90. | uncommunicative | Not willing to share information. |
| 91. | unforthcoming | Not willing to give information. |
| 92. | uptight | Tense and easily upset. |
| 93. | vigilant | Carefully alert to danger. |
| 94. | vindicating | Clearing from blame or suspicion. |
| 95. | vulnerable | Open to emotional hurt. |
| 96. | warding | Keeping danger away. |
| 97. | wary | Careful because danger is possible. |
| 98. | watchful | Alert to possible danger. |
| 99. | watching | Keeping careful guard. |
| 100. | wounded | Hurt by criticism or insult. |