Synonyms

overprotective

American

[oh-ver-pruh-tek-tiv] / ˌoʊ vər prəˈtɛk tɪv /

adjective

unduly protective.

Other Word Forms

overprotectiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of overprotective

First recorded in 1925–30; over- + protective

Vocabulary lists containing overprotective

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For many years American Jewish writing seemed to be all about sons—sons launched from Chicago, Brooklyn and the Bronx, sons of overprotective mothers, comics punning on “the son also rises.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

That can make people vulnerable, and it can also make well-intentioned children overprotective.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 1, 2025

"I kept taking her to the doctors and they kept telling me I was being overprotective," Ms Wiggins explained.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

Joel is overprotective to the extent of control.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2023

As a lawyer, Mom is a bit overprotective and aggressive.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023