protectively
Americanadverb
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.
Flat-pack ornaments that don’t need to be protectively stowed in a special container are a boon to small spacers.
From Washington Times • Dec. 6, 2023
Females of the Muusoctopus robustus—the octopus species found in the garden—hover protectively over their eggs, their arms facing up, ready to swipe away any potential predators.
From Scientific American • Aug. 23, 2023
He said firefighters protectively drenched a propane refilling station for forklifts in water.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 15, 2023
It’s their most pleasant job and the movie’s loveliest moment: As their voices sweetly blend, Tori stares lovingly up at Lokita, while she smiles down protectively at him.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2023
Mosca and Hornet moved protectively between them, but Victor just pushed them away.
From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke
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.
