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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-protective
Adjective
-
If successful, this technology could produce longer-lasting, blowout-resistant tires and more protective electronics cases.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
Each piece is crafted from solid acacia wood that is naturally weather-resistant and sealed with a protective finish for an extra layer of durability.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Point Loma threatened to tie the game in the sixth and probably would have done so if not for the defensive play of the game.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
The Diablos’ emergence showed with three sparkling defensive plays and a lead going into the bottom of the fifth inning.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-protective. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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