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
Pascal has a deep connection to The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola’s 1999 feature directorial debut, which stars Kirsten Dunst as Lux Lisbon—one of five sisters raised by overprotective Catholic parents.
—
José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
But as the overprotective father, Bart only is concerned with Sam getting his shot every day just to stay healthy and alive and does not give him any encouragement, similar to how his own late father acted (Quaid appears in several brief flashbacks).
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
The original 2003 Pixar movie, produced for Walt Disney Pictures, tells the story of an overprotective clownfish, Marlin, searching for his missing son, Nemo.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
After everything the children had gone through, their grandparents may have been a little overprotective.
—Libby Smith, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Wright plays the overprotective mother Laura Sanderson in the Amazon Prime series, The Girlfriend, who spirals when her son Daniel (Laurie Davidson) brings home his new mysterious girlfriend Cherry (Olivia Cooke).
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Season 3 As Season 3 begins, Eleven and Mike are officially a couple and can't keep their hands off each other, upsetting an overprotective Hopper, who tries to break them up.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
In Seasons 2 and 3, Eleven and Hopper experience some friction due to Hopper’s overprotective concern for Eleven’s safety; by Season 4, the characters operate in totally separate storylines and don’t share a scene until the last minutes of the season finale.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
Wagner apologizes, knowing that his relationship with his baby, who is now 27 years old, is too important to throw away by being overprotective of her (or of his work-daughter Kaya).
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
But as the overprotective father, Bart only is concerned with Sam getting his shot every day just to stay healthy and alive and does not give him any encouragement, similar to how his own late father acted (Quaid appears in several brief flashbacks).
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
The original 2003 Pixar movie, produced for Walt Disney Pictures, tells the story of an overprotective clownfish, Marlin, searching for his missing son, Nemo.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
After everything the children had gone through, their grandparents may have been a little overprotective.
—Libby Smith, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Wright plays the overprotective mother Laura Sanderson in the Amazon Prime series, The Girlfriend, who spirals when her son Daniel (Laurie Davidson) brings home his new mysterious girlfriend Cherry (Olivia Cooke).
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Season 3 As Season 3 begins, Eleven and Mike are officially a couple and can't keep their hands off each other, upsetting an overprotective Hopper, who tries to break them up.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
In Seasons 2 and 3, Eleven and Hopper experience some friction due to Hopper’s overprotective concern for Eleven’s safety; by Season 4, the characters operate in totally separate storylines and don’t share a scene until the last minutes of the season finale.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
Wagner apologizes, knowing that his relationship with his baby, who is now 27 years old, is too important to throw away by being overprotective of her (or of his work-daughter Kaya).
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overprotective
Adjective
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The proposal would require AI systems that simulate conversation to use privacy-preserving age estimation so child-protective settings kick in for users under 18.—
Chris Lehane,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Removing protective material too soon exposes soil to fluctuating temperatures.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Starring alongside Box and Sami is the returning Alicia Gardiner, who plays Dulcie’s possessive wife Cath.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
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After a night of a drinking game gone very wrong, Bree is left behind by a possessive Evan, giving Wrigley and Bree alone time to hash out their unspoken feelings for each other.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Also, Ciara wants to make West jealous?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
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Honestly, these eggs would make highlighters jealous.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overprotective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overprotective. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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