Thesaurus results for OVERPROTECTIVE

overprotective

adjective

Definition of overprotective

as in protective

trying too hard to protect someone (such as a child) from danger His overprotective mother won't let him go out after dark. He is overprotective of his little sister.

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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 overprotective Parents put in the middle Laws may encourage parents to be overprotective, but parenting research is recommending the opposite. — Jennifer L. Brinkley, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026 Owen Wilson plays an overprotective dad who sneaks his 13-year-old son (Christian Convery) into the festival. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 His overprotective Greek mother often kept him at home after school, so Papadopoulos delved into pop culture. — Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026 In the wedding comedy, Ferrell, 50, stars as Jim Caldwell, an overprotective father who plans his daughter’s dream wedding, and Feimster as Captain Barry, the ferry boat driver who transports the guests to the wedding. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 Here, Oli, Tad’s intrepid daughter, turns him into an overprotective father. — John Hopewell, Variety, 19 June 2026 The boy’s name is Petros (Karydis) must hide behind a mask per his strict grandmother, who is the mayor, and his overprotective mother. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026 Jeon-bok is overprotective of her beloved granddaughter, who lives life with a dangerous heart condition. — Kayti Burt, Time, 15 May 2026 Pascal has a deep connection to The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola’s 1999 feature directorial debut, which stars Kirsten Dunst as Lux Lisbon—one of five sisters raised by overprotective Catholic parents. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overprotective

Adjective

Potential equipment includes protective vests and goggles for working dogs.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Meta also uses a protective system called Sentinel to control certain actions involving outside services.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of protective

Adjective

Perhaps that’s why the first of Cyrus’ shows at the Hollywood Bowl felt so possessive, so intrinsically tied to her recent eras and willing to explore them.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Jones was often jealous, distrustful, possessive and controlling of his girlfriend, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of possessive

Adjective

The station was made with minimalism in mind, and its durable ABS and metal build and zinc alloy give it a look so sleek that the other devices on your desk will be jealous.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Another comic, Bill Scheft, says the people who poked fun at Seinfeld still respected his craftsmanship (and were probably a little jealous of his success).

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of jealous

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overproductions

overprotective

overqualified

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“Overprotective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overprotective. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of overprotective

adjective

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