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
Frequent chlorine exposure strips hair of its natural protective oils, which can leave it weak and dry.
—
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 May 2026
The instructor then contacted child protective services, triggering the investigation.
—Joe Nelson, Daily News, 20 May 2026
But his Jimmy is a performance of a performance, someone who’s always on, whether as a matter of practice or as a protective measure as mortality looms closer.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Freeman holds a doctorate in emergency and protective services.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The stakes are high for the custody battle after child protective services (CPS) gets called on Margo following Jinx’s drug relapse in Episode 7.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 20 May 2026
In photos that have circulated, one person who had just left the ship can be seen on a bus, still clad in protective gear but having removed their mask, seen dangling over one ear.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
Homes and gardens sit behind protective walls and gates with barbed wire.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 19 May 2026
In addition to the protective coating, your tongue also has papillae, the tiny bumps that give it texture.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 19 May 2026
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 May 2026
The instructor then contacted child protective services, triggering the investigation.
—Joe Nelson, Daily News, 20 May 2026
But his Jimmy is a performance of a performance, someone who’s always on, whether as a matter of practice or as a protective measure as mortality looms closer.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Freeman holds a doctorate in emergency and protective services.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The stakes are high for the custody battle after child protective services (CPS) gets called on Margo following Jinx’s drug relapse in Episode 7.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 20 May 2026
In photos that have circulated, one person who had just left the ship can be seen on a bus, still clad in protective gear but having removed their mask, seen dangling over one ear.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
Homes and gardens sit behind protective walls and gates with barbed wire.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 19 May 2026
In addition to the protective coating, your tongue also has papillae, the tiny bumps that give it texture.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protective
defensive
Adjective
-
The best defensive team in the NBA keeps proving that defense wins games — and that no one is unstoppable.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
After New York's Ryan Weathers and Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen each pitched seven shutout innings, Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger made a key defensive play with two outs in the eighth.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protective. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
