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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overprotective
Adjective
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Little by little, the leaf curls over the insect, almost as if possessive, as the digestive process begins.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 June 2025 -
And Doyle showed even more possessive behavior that C.C. found troubling.—
Chris Young Ritzen,
CBS News,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Griffiths isn’t jealous of her colleagues’ roles, however.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
18 June 2025
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Trying to compare Prudence Featherington, the jealous and spoiled sister of Penelope Featherington (now Penelope Bridgerton!), to Nancy Mitford is a weird task for Carter.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
18 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Overprotective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overprotective. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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