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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-protective
Adjective
-
The administration’s framing of the deadly shootings in Minneapolis was part of the motivation for the request to modify the protective order in the case and release the evidence, said Parente.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Consumer electronics researchers are designing self-healing polymers for flexible displays and scratch-prone protective surfaces.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But after a shoulder injury to Trevin Wallace, Rozeboom played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in the last four games, including the wild-card loss to the Rams.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
He was touched by Steelers defensive end Dwight White, who was credited with the sack.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-protective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-protective. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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