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
Vinegar can damage some finishes and the protective coating on some wood cabinets may have degraded over time.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Dermatologists created this moisturizing lotion, which moistens your tattoo and creates a protective skin barrier.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
At the time, he was being held in Salt Lake County Metro Jail following a November arrest for violating a pretrial protective order against his now ex-wife, Alexiana Smokoff.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Another protective order was filed by his ex-wife’s male coworker, whom police report Culleton was allegedly stalking and threatening.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Their design references the Porsche 911 Targa’s roll bar, combining titanium frames with protective front construction.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
This posturing is protective, of course.
—Jesse Dorris, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
Public safety remains at the top of the priority list, and a significant portion of the retreat focused on the city’s contract for protective services with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
—Chuck Page, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
In November 2025, Cosby was arrested for charges including assault, criminal trespass, and violation of a protective order and was held in jail for four months, per People.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Dermatologists created this moisturizing lotion, which moistens your tattoo and creates a protective skin barrier.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
At the time, he was being held in Salt Lake County Metro Jail following a November arrest for violating a pretrial protective order against his now ex-wife, Alexiana Smokoff.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Another protective order was filed by his ex-wife’s male coworker, whom police report Culleton was allegedly stalking and threatening.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Their design references the Porsche 911 Targa’s roll bar, combining titanium frames with protective front construction.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
This posturing is protective, of course.
—Jesse Dorris, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
Public safety remains at the top of the priority list, and a significant portion of the retreat focused on the city’s contract for protective services with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
—Chuck Page, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
In November 2025, Cosby was arrested for charges including assault, criminal trespass, and violation of a protective order and was held in jail for four months, per People.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protective
defensive
Adjective
-
The one thing that is undetermined that could free up even more cap space is the situation surrounding defensive tackle Kenny Clark.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Minessale was the Tommies’ lone double-digit scorer in the contest, though Ben Oosterban, Carter Bjerke, and Nick Janowski each logged nine points as Austin Herro tallied eight points to go with a game-high eight rebounds — seven of which came on the defensive end.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protective. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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