protective

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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for protective
defensive
Adjective
  • It is considered one of the most impressive defensive structures from the Italian Renaissance.
    Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Since the appointment of Miguel Cardoso at the end of last year, the Portuguese coach has introduced more defensive discipline and a greater focus on set pieces.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 7 June 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protective. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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