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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of protective
Eating more of these plants was most protective for the brain, the researchers found.
—
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
In a declaration attached to a temporary protective order filed against her ex-boyfriend in Utah court Tuesday, Paul detailed four incidents of domestic violence alleged to have been suffered at the hands of Dakota Mortensen.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
Focus on protective habits like a healthy diet, regular exercise, and safer sex.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Sightings in the wild are increasingly uncommon, which makes protective measures and habitat conservation all the more urgent.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
Because the study is preclinical and there is not yet data on human subjects, Hsiao and his team don’t know how much casein or wheat gluten a person would need to consume to see a protective effect.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
That same day, Mortensen filed a protective order against Paul and was promptly awarded temporary custody of Ever.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Police sealed off the building and blocked several roads, while forensic experts in white protective suits combed the area for evidence.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, Hochman said, the judge issued a protective order prohibiting Hart from owning or having any animals in his care.
—Andrea Klick, Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
In a declaration attached to a temporary protective order filed against her ex-boyfriend in Utah court Tuesday, Paul detailed four incidents of domestic violence alleged to have been suffered at the hands of Dakota Mortensen.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
Focus on protective habits like a healthy diet, regular exercise, and safer sex.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Sightings in the wild are increasingly uncommon, which makes protective measures and habitat conservation all the more urgent.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
Because the study is preclinical and there is not yet data on human subjects, Hsiao and his team don’t know how much casein or wheat gluten a person would need to consume to see a protective effect.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
That same day, Mortensen filed a protective order against Paul and was promptly awarded temporary custody of Ever.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Police sealed off the building and blocked several roads, while forensic experts in white protective suits combed the area for evidence.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, Hochman said, the judge issued a protective order prohibiting Hart from owning or having any animals in his care.
—Andrea Klick, Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protective
defensive
Adjective
-
Leger-Walker no longer had to self-create jumpers and could shoot 3-pointers off the catch thanks to the extra defensive attention Betts commanded in the paint.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
He’s tied for 10th in the NBA in blocks, owns the sixth-best individual defensive rating and ranks fifth in net rating, trailing a select group that includes Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protective. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
