PROTECTIVE Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

protective

adjective

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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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 The data from those animal trials showed a 400 percent uptick in lifespan, largely thanks to Klotho’s protective impact on the brain. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026 Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes the breakdown of the protective covering of nerves, resulting in numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes and other symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026 Angelo Jones’ sister remembers her brother as a protective and funny father of four. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026 Last week, the tides brought dangerous surf conditions to much of the coastline and damaged some of the protective measures put in place by cities. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 That application layer is precisely the layer enterprises are most protective of, and for good reason. — Neda Nia, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Never look at the sun without protective eyewear or a solar filter. — Lucie McCormick, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 The challenge, then, is not to feel less protective of what people earn and their right to earn it. — Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 What's next WRSs2 is protective against a single species, Shigella sonnei. — Joseph Kim, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for protective

defensive

Adjective

Thrust into the starting lineup due to Iliana Rupert’s pregnancy announcement, Stokes has started every game at center this season and is in the conversation for the WNBA all-defensive team.

— Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
In December, just before the transfer portal opened, Rome named Bobby Blizzard and Le’Marcus Gibson, who both coached at Hampton, his offensive and defensive coordinators.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of defensive

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protective

protector

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“Protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protective. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of protective

adjective

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