as in defensive
intended to resist or prevent attack or aggression
the cat drew back its ears and sank into a protective posture as the dog approached it
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Recent Examples of protective
Prokop faces four misdemeanor charges, including one count of a violation of bond — protective order, one count of evading arrest or detention and two counts of resisting arrest, search or transportation.
—
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Regardless of whether that belief is true or not, the fact that it was even said caused people to be very protective of their kids because there was the possibility of danger.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
When sprayed on broadleaf evergreens, the anti-desiccant forms a clear, waxy protective coating that reduces water loss.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Authorities told Fox News Digital Prokop faces four misdemeanor charges — one count of violation of bond or protective order, one count of evading arrest or detention and two counts of resisting arrest, search or transportation.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Look for products that contain niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that reduces redness and helps increase lipid production, which is crucial for the skin’s protective barrier.
—Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
This time, John (Gerard Butler), Allison (Morena Baccarin), and their teen son, Nathan (Roman Griffin Davis), flee their protective bunker for brighter horizons amid atmospheric horrors and a hail of fiery meteors.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
No one called child protective services, either.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
As a single mom, Crystal Roure was fiercely protective of her children.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Regardless of whether that belief is true or not, the fact that it was even said caused people to be very protective of their kids because there was the possibility of danger.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
When sprayed on broadleaf evergreens, the anti-desiccant forms a clear, waxy protective coating that reduces water loss.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Authorities told Fox News Digital Prokop faces four misdemeanor charges — one count of violation of bond or protective order, one count of evading arrest or detention and two counts of resisting arrest, search or transportation.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Look for products that contain niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that reduces redness and helps increase lipid production, which is crucial for the skin’s protective barrier.
—Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
This time, John (Gerard Butler), Allison (Morena Baccarin), and their teen son, Nathan (Roman Griffin Davis), flee their protective bunker for brighter horizons amid atmospheric horrors and a hail of fiery meteors.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
No one called child protective services, either.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
As a single mom, Crystal Roure was fiercely protective of her children.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protective
defensive
Adjective
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Dak Brinkley shows pass rushing ability KU freshman defensive end Dak Brinkley recorded the first two sacks of his college career on back-to-back plays in the second quarter.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
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On the defensive end, Josh Moten had 3 of the 5 Southern Miss interceptions and 6 tackles.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protective. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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