protectiveness
Americannoun
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the inclination or tendency to try to protect another, such as a child.
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the quality of being effective protection against infection, damage, theft, or other harm.
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.
She said it had been, however, "hard to shake a certain protectiveness" after knowing someone since they were 10.
From BBC
Webby, the St. Jude researcher, said the work supports other research that has looked at the potential protectiveness of prior exposure to flu viruses.
From Los Angeles Times
That protectiveness over his art grew from the difficulties he faced when he first tried to explore his passion fully.
From Los Angeles Times
He has also learnt to let go of any protectiveness he might feel around the story.
From BBC
Over the years I have witnessed the fierce protectiveness of parents countless times.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
