as in protective
intended to resist or prevent attack or aggression
a self-protective gesture to ward off the blow
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Recent Examples of self-protective
On a far too frequent basis, Americans have listened to the erratic falsehoods of a pathologically narcissistic president while our Republican leaders in Congress cower in the corners of their offices in a state of self-protective paralysis.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
But anyone who has nurtured a daydream, or told a self-protective lie, can empathize with her, and learn something true about themselves.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
In both films, Dern combines big-hearted openness with something more self-protective and disillusioned; there may be no actress better at conveying a woman’s yearning for freedom despite the maddening obstacles the world throws in her path.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 9 Nov. 2025
This self-protective habit can leave you struggling and the relationship seeming unbalanced and isolating for both partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
He’s worked hard to make his way in this world, and part of his cocksure attitude is self-protective.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
For some people, that discomfort is enough to trigger a self-protective instinct to deflect, blame, or jump to rationalizations, Dr. Kelley explains.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 May 2025
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
But anyone who has nurtured a daydream, or told a self-protective lie, can empathize with her, and learn something true about themselves.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
In both films, Dern combines big-hearted openness with something more self-protective and disillusioned; there may be no actress better at conveying a woman’s yearning for freedom despite the maddening obstacles the world throws in her path.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 9 Nov. 2025
This self-protective habit can leave you struggling and the relationship seeming unbalanced and isolating for both partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
He’s worked hard to make his way in this world, and part of his cocksure attitude is self-protective.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
For some people, that discomfort is enough to trigger a self-protective instinct to deflect, blame, or jump to rationalizations, Dr. Kelley explains.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-protective
Adjective
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Constructing protective structures such as levees and dikes can help, as can preserving natural landscapes, such as wetlands and estuaries that can act as a natural sponge to absorb floodwaters, in and near the cities, Shao and her colleagues wrote.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
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Alan retired from performing in 1987 after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that causes breakdown of the protective covering of nerves.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For almost an hour at BMO Stadium, the defensive efforts of the Los Angeles Football Club and San Jose Earthquakes held up.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
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Gilgeous-Alexander — the reigning NBA MVP — is one of the finalists for this year’s top individual honor, along with Denver’s Nikola Jokic and the Spurs’ Wembanyama, who is also a finalist for defensive player of the year.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-protective. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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