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
Otherwise, the oil works as a specialized scalp treatment, too, or to provide nourishment during protective styling.
—
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Physicists revealed that the HRNS spectrometer will be installed behind a thick concrete protective wall surrounding the fusion chamber, near an opening several centimetres in diameter, to be able to detect neutrons produced in the very center of the plasma.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
The protective father also held his hands back, guarding his son while placing the back of his head on Jack’s stomach.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
By 1906, its surface had transformed into a protective green layer called brochantite.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
There was a grand tradition of bipartisan support for government funding, and plenty of Republicans were just as protective of their local PBS stations as Democrats were.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Lively had sought a protective order to shield her communications with Swift, but Liman ruled the materials could be relevant because Lively had previously identified Swift as someone with knowledge of conversations about the filming environment.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Replace furniture or remove protective wrap used under the feet of the furniture after the carpet is dry.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Vigorous physical activity appears more protective for eye health than light exercise.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Physicists revealed that the HRNS spectrometer will be installed behind a thick concrete protective wall surrounding the fusion chamber, near an opening several centimetres in diameter, to be able to detect neutrons produced in the very center of the plasma.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
The protective father also held his hands back, guarding his son while placing the back of his head on Jack’s stomach.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
By 1906, its surface had transformed into a protective green layer called brochantite.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
There was a grand tradition of bipartisan support for government funding, and plenty of Republicans were just as protective of their local PBS stations as Democrats were.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Lively had sought a protective order to shield her communications with Swift, but Liman ruled the materials could be relevant because Lively had previously identified Swift as someone with knowledge of conversations about the filming environment.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Replace furniture or remove protective wrap used under the feet of the furniture after the carpet is dry.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Vigorous physical activity appears more protective for eye health than light exercise.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protective
defensive
Adjective
-
For months the Yankees defended Anthony Volpe as his average plummeted and his defensive woes emerged with an AL-worst 19 errors.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Over a very small sample of 178 innings, Devers has been worth one defensive run saved.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protective. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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