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
Future research could also explore why omega-3s appear to be more protective for women—something that’s currently unclear.
—
Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 Sep. 2025
Always ask for a protective base coat.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
The Duke of Sussex is pretty protective of his children, so when Meghan posted a photo of them on set of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, some royal correspondents found the action to be odd.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
If your hardwood floors do have polyurethane still there, Harrington suggests using a shine restorer formulated for hardwood floors like Bona or Rejuvenate to add a protective layer on top of that remaining finish to revive.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Now he is left wondering if his protective instincts went too far.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
English also says that protective or tight styles can also lead to matting if left in too long, by compacting tangles at the base.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
But all that protective lotion washes off your body throughout the day, especially when swimming if sunscreen is not reapplied .
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Sep. 2025
Six million Jews like him, including his protective older brother Yaakov and all 105 members of the large Schaecter family, died in the Holocaust during World War II in the 1940s.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 Sep. 2025
Always ask for a protective base coat.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
The Duke of Sussex is pretty protective of his children, so when Meghan posted a photo of them on set of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, some royal correspondents found the action to be odd.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
If your hardwood floors do have polyurethane still there, Harrington suggests using a shine restorer formulated for hardwood floors like Bona or Rejuvenate to add a protective layer on top of that remaining finish to revive.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Now he is left wondering if his protective instincts went too far.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
English also says that protective or tight styles can also lead to matting if left in too long, by compacting tangles at the base.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
But all that protective lotion washes off your body throughout the day, especially when swimming if sunscreen is not reapplied .
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Sep. 2025
Six million Jews like him, including his protective older brother Yaakov and all 105 members of the large Schaecter family, died in the Holocaust during World War II in the 1940s.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protective
defensive
Adjective
-
Tagovailoa’s third turnover occurred on Miami’s first drive of the second half when a short pass over the middle of the field was intercepted by Colts defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, who dropped back into coverage on Miami’s offense while a three Colts rushers came after Tagovailoa.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As good as Baltimore’s offense was, Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr will have some things to fix this week.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protective. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share