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
Military culture is fiercely self-protective, and soldiers who criticize it are usually treated as traitors.
—
Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
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
Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-protective
Adjective
-
The fan base for these books is famously large and protective — these are the most famous hockey romance books on the market.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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How to make homemade laundry detergent Before mixing anything, put on protective clothing — at minimum, gloves, glasses and a mask — to avoid skin or eye irritation from the ingredients.—
Ryan Brennan
May 13,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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His absence left the Spurs without their primary defensive anchor in a pivotal road matchup.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
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While Jaquez did not provide the eye-popping scoring of some of her teammates, the wing brought a cool effectiveness to the defensive side of the ball while tallying a pair of assists and a handful of deflections.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-protective. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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