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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.

Rozario’s mother holds onto him protectively, then wrests the scissors away.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2024

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

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2024

In one moment Blue Ivy protectively tells her mother not to worry about the details of a piece of staging and get some rest.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 26, 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

Elinor stepped up behind Meggie and put her hands protectively on her shoulders.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

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