protectively

American

[pruh-tek-tiv-lee] / prəˈtɛk tɪv li /

adverb

in a protective way; in a way that serves to protect or expresses a desire to protect.

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.

The prince's private secretary speaks protectively of him: "Too loyal for his own good sometimes."

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2024

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

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

Horse crouched protectively over Doc, who tried to stanch his wound.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee

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