as in protective
trying too hard to protect someone (such as a child) from danger
His overprotective mother won't let him go out after dark. He is overprotective of his little sister.
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Recent Examples of overprotective
Mika takes a job teaching three young witches, and getting to know a grumpy and overprotective librarian, Jamie, who is also in charge of their care.
—
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
But overprotective matriarch Gladys Gibbes (Spencer) is a true steel magnolia whose massive celebrity-chef persona will take all of Rachel’s bless-her-heart best to survive.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
These 2025 Best of Beauty Award winners offer all the overprotective pros without any aggravating cons.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Olivia Cooke’s Cherry makes out with Laura’s son in public, lies about her knowledge of art, and seems to be hiding a secret—or is Laura overprotective?
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2025
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
But overprotective matriarch Gladys Gibbes (Spencer) is a true steel magnolia whose massive celebrity-chef persona will take all of Rachel’s bless-her-heart best to survive.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
These 2025 Best of Beauty Award winners offer all the overprotective pros without any aggravating cons.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Olivia Cooke’s Cherry makes out with Laura’s son in public, lies about her knowledge of art, and seems to be hiding a secret—or is Laura overprotective?
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overprotective
Adjective
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Sorghum Sorghum is a gluten-free grain that’s high in protein, magnesium, B vitamins, and several protective phenolic compounds such as ferulic acid, gallic acid, luteolin, and apigenin.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
17 Oct. 2025
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The investigation revealed Donald had been accused of assault Jacob on at least two other occasions earlier this year, violating a protective order against him on both occasions.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some will even feel possessive.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
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That possessive, wide eyed desire is just one of the aspects that took Jane Birkin from a young British ingenue to a beloved — and extremely famous — fixture of French culture.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Witnesses told police that Houston was controlling, jealous and had a history of domestic violence, court documents said.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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The two must figure out how to cultivate their blossoming relationship while staving off the suspicions of a jealous colleague.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overprotective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overprotective. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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