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
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
Just as with mother wounds, father wounds can manifest in two contrasting ways: clinging to partners for stability or keeping emotional distance as a self-protective measure.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
And the best-of-all-possible-worlds thesis had another self-protective feature that Voltaire’s satire ignores.
—Anthony Gottlieb, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Advertisement The cars are also equipped with self-protective features.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
When the stress builds to burnout and self-protective shutting down, job search stalls.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 2 Nov. 2024
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
Just as with mother wounds, father wounds can manifest in two contrasting ways: clinging to partners for stability or keeping emotional distance as a self-protective measure.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
And the best-of-all-possible-worlds thesis had another self-protective feature that Voltaire’s satire ignores.
—Anthony Gottlieb, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Advertisement The cars are also equipped with self-protective features.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
When the stress builds to burnout and self-protective shutting down, job search stalls.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 2 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-protective
Adjective
-
Sorghum Sorghum is a gluten-free grain that’s high in protein, magnesium, B vitamins, and several protective phenolic compounds such as ferulic acid, gallic acid, luteolin, and apigenin.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The investigation revealed Donald had been accused of assault Jacob on at least two other occasions earlier this year, violating a protective order against him on both occasions.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The bellow came from defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who was all dressed and heading out the door.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
New Mexico’s next possession was another TD, at the end of a 58-yard drive that Boise State helped greatly when defensive end Jayden Virgin-Morgan got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the end of a play.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-protective. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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