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
When wealth moves directly into a founder’s personal name and only then is transferred into protective vehicles, the sequence can draw scrutiny if disputes arise.
—
Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Wearing a protective mask to avoid inhaling the dust, fill a hand-crank or push rotary spreader with pelletized lime.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
Well, the family that is helping Toles doesn’t like a lot of details leaking out and are extremely protective of Toles’ privacy.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Ortiz has been issued a protective order applying to Rihanna, Rocky and their neighbors.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026
This bag is unique in that it’s designed with a soft top for quick-access items like tablets and travel documents, and a protective hard bottom for clothing, shoes, and a laptop.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
Illinois courts issue orders in family, criminal and protective proceedings that carry significant immigration consequences.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The incredibly protective Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump LLP founding partner passed away in 2021 — not long before this Jackson estate civil war flared up.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Doctor says Americans should eat more of 5 key protective foods.
—FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Wearing a protective mask to avoid inhaling the dust, fill a hand-crank or push rotary spreader with pelletized lime.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
Well, the family that is helping Toles doesn’t like a lot of details leaking out and are extremely protective of Toles’ privacy.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Ortiz has been issued a protective order applying to Rihanna, Rocky and their neighbors.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026
This bag is unique in that it’s designed with a soft top for quick-access items like tablets and travel documents, and a protective hard bottom for clothing, shoes, and a laptop.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
Illinois courts issue orders in family, criminal and protective proceedings that carry significant immigration consequences.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The incredibly protective Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump LLP founding partner passed away in 2021 — not long before this Jackson estate civil war flared up.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Doctor says Americans should eat more of 5 key protective foods.
—FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protective
defensive
Adjective
-
Smart walked to the bench with his arms extended like a defensive back who had just broken up a touchdown pass.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That trailed Moro Ojomo (170 snaps in 17 games) and Jalen Carter (142 snaps in 11 games) among Eagles defensive tackles.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protective. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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