The correct answer is: [D]: "defensive".
____________________________________________________________
The following words, with suffixes, exist: "defensively" ; "defensiveness" .
____________________________________________________________
Consider the other answer choices:
____________________________________________________________
Choice: [A]: "hopeing" . This answer is incorrect.
This answer already has a suffix; which is: "—ing" ;
and the word: "hopeing" {sic} — is incorrect {i.e. is NOT a word}.
The correct word is: "hoping" — without an extra "silent e " added to the suffix.
___________________________________________________________
Choice: [B]: "paceed" . This answer is incorrect.
This answer already has a suffix; which is: "—ed" ;
and the word: "paceed" {sic} — is incorrect {i.e. is NOT a word}.
The correct answer is: "paced" — without an extra "silent e " added to the suffix.
___________________________________________________________
Choice: [C]: " likeable ". This answer is incorrect.
This answer already has a suffix; which is: "—able" ;
and the word: " likeable " {sic} — is incorrect {i.e. is NOT a word}.
The correct word is: " likable " — without an extra "silent e " added to the suffix.
___________________________________________________________
The correct answer is: Choice: [D]: "defensive" .
___________________________________________________________
