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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There was a woman next to me who was really possessive of the armrest.—
Matt Villano,
AFAR Media,
16 Apr. 2025 -
Has exhibited possessive or controlling behavior, and is in a recent or pending divorce or separation.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Combs defense team tried to paint Phillip as vindictive and jealous of Ventura Fine's relationship with the music mogul.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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The film has enough shocking surprises to make M. Night Shyamalan jealous, but they’re all meticulously layered into the script and well earned; all of the twists grow organically out of the characters Mena has so carefully developed.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
14 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Overprotective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overprotective. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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