Rather than describing what a character is trying to accomplish (being defensive), consider using the verbs that indicate the actions they're taking against other characters (accusing them back).
— Directing Actors
The reason this works is that "trying to accomplish" lives in a character's head, but a scene is only ever visible through what they do to somebody else. Defensiveness is a private feeling; accusing is a public act. The moment you choose the sharper verb, the actor has something to actually perform, and the other actor has something to react to. Say a wife suspects her husband is hiding money troubles. Written as "she's being defensive," the actor might just fold her arms and stall. Written as "she accuses him of not trusting her," she leans forward, throws the question back, makes him answer for something. The caution: if every line becomes an attack, scenes turn brittle and one-note. Characters still need moments of genuine retreat, silence, or doubt — the active verb should serve the exchange, not replace all vulnerability with combat.
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