Need another word that means the same as “protective”? Find 21 synonyms and 30 related words for “protective” in this overview.
Table Of Contents:
The synonyms of “Protective” are: preservative, protecting, defensive, precautionary, preventive, preventative, covering, solicitous, caring, mindful, careful, wary, watchful, vigilant, warm, maternal, paternal, fatherly, motherly, gallant, chivalrous
Protective as an Adjective
Definitions of "Protective" as an adjective
According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “protective” as an adjective can have the following definitions:
- Relating to the protection of domestic industries from foreign competition.
- Showing care.
- Intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind.
- Having or showing a strong wish to protect someone or something.
- Solicitously caring or mindful.
- Intended to protect someone or something.
- (usually followed by `of') solicitously caring or mindful.
Synonyms of "Protective" as an adjective (21 Words)
| careful | Full of cares or anxiety-Luke 10.41. Careful about one s behavior. |
| caring | Feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others. A caring and invaluable friend. |
| chivalrous | Courteous and gallant, especially towards women (typically used of a man or his behaviour. The concept of chivalrous combat. |
| covering | (of shooting) carried out to protect an exposed person from an enemy. We retreated behind spurts of covering fire. |
| defensive | Used or intended to defend or protect. A poor defensive record. |
| fatherly | Like or befitting a father or fatherhood; kind and protective. He gave me such a kind and fatherly look. |
| gallant | Lively and spirited. Put up a gallant resistance to the attackers. |
| maternal | Related through the mother’s side of the family. Maternal care. |
| mindful | Focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, especially as part of a therapeutic or meditative technique. The judge said that he was not mindful to postpone the eviction again. |
| motherly | Of, resembling, or characteristic of a mother, especially in being caring, protective, and kind. She held both her arms wide in a gesture of motherly love. |
| paternal | Characteristic of a father. His father and paternal grandfather were porcelain painters. |
| precautionary | Carried out as a precaution; preventive. I would take precautionary steps to keep him away. |
| preservative | Tending or having the power to preserve. The preservative effects of freezing. |
| preventative | Tending to prevent or hinder. Preventative medicine. |
| preventive | Preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease. Preventive medicine. |
| protecting | Shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort. The protecting blanket of snow. |
| solicitous | Characterized by or showing interest or concern. A solicitous enquiry. |
| vigilant | Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. The burglar was spotted by vigilant neighbours. |
| warm | Having or displaying warmth or affection. A warm winter coat. |
| wary | Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems. Dogs which have been mistreated often remain very wary of strangers. |
| watchful | Watching someone or something closely; alert and vigilant. Twenty watchful weary tedious nights. |
Usage Examples of "Protective" as an adjective
- Kept the drunken sailor in protective custody.
- A protective covering.
- Protective coatings.
- A protective mother.
- Protective gloves are worn to minimize injury.
- I felt protective towards her.
- Protective of his reputation.
- Animals with protective coloring.
- As adults we are naturally protective of children.
- The use of protective masks and equipment.
- Protective tariffs.
Associations of "Protective" (30 Words)
| angel | A former English coin minted between the reigns of Edward IV and Charles I and bearing the figure of the archangel Michael killing a dragon. I miss you too angel. |
| aseptic | Free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms. Aseptic surgical techniques. |
| contraceptive | (of a method or device) serving to prevent pregnancy. The contraceptive pill. |
| defence | The action of defending from or resisting attack. He spoke in defence of a disciplined approach. |
| defensive | An attitude of defensiveness especially in the phrase on the defensive. Defensive weapons. |
| disinfectant | A chemical liquid that destroys bacteria. A cat won t use its litter box if it s cleaned with smelly disinfectants. |
| enclosure | An area that is surrounded by a barrier. One of the chief effects of enclosure was to increase the number of landless workers. |
| fortification | Defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it. The building and maintenance of fortifications. |
| fungicide | A chemical that destroys fungus. Cut away any rotten parts before dusting with fungicide. |
| guard | The person who plays the position of guard on a basketball team. An insurance policy is a good safeguard. |
| guardian | A person who is legally responsible for the care of someone who is unable to manage their own affairs, especially a child whose parents have died. Self appointed guardians of public morality. |
| helmet | A hard or padded protective hat, various types of which are worn by soldiers, police officers, motorcyclists, sports players, and others. |
| herbicide | A chemical agent that destroys plants or inhibits their growth. Farmers sprayed a protected wildflower meadow with herbicide. |
| hinderance | The act of hindering or obstructing or impeding. |
| insecticide | A chemical used to kill insects. The timber can be treated with insecticide. |
| munition | Military weapons ammunition equipment and stores. It never had the defence industry necessary to equip or munition its forces. |
| pesticide | A substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or to animals. |
| preclusive | Preventing something from happening; restrictive. No preclusive action was taken. |
| preemptive | Designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence. A preemptive business offer. |
| preservative | Acting to preserve something. Timbers should be treated with a preservative substance. |
| prevent | Stop (someone) from doing something. We must prevent the cancer from spreading. |
| preventive | Remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease. Preventive medicine. |
| prohibitory | Tending to discourage (especially of prices. |
| prophylactic | A medicine or course of action used to prevent disease. I took malaria prophylactics. |
| protector | The title of the head of state in England during the later period of the Commonwealth between 1653 and 1659, first Oliver Cromwell (1653–8), then his son Richard (1658–9). A man who became her protector adviser and friend. |
| safe | Strongbox where valuables can be safely kept. Eggs remain in the damp sand safe from marine predators. |
| sweetener | A substance used to sweeten food or drink, especially one other than sugar. A sweetener may persuade them to sell. |
| tutelar | Providing protective supervision; watching over or safeguarding. Tutelary gods. |
| tutelary | Serving as a protector, guardian, or patron. Tutelary gods. |
