overprotective

Definition of overprotectivenext
as in protective
trying too hard to protect someone (such as a child) from danger His overprotective mother won't let him go out after dark. He is overprotective of his little sister.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overprotective Owen Wilson plays an overprotective dad who sneaks his 13-year-old son (Christian Convery) into the festival. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 His overprotective Greek mother often kept him at home after school, so Papadopoulos delved into pop culture. — Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026 In the wedding comedy, Ferrell, 50, stars as Jim Caldwell, an overprotective father who plans his daughter’s dream wedding, and Feimster as Captain Barry, the ferry boat driver who transports the guests to the wedding. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 Here, Oli, Tad’s intrepid daughter, turns him into an overprotective father. — John Hopewell, Variety, 19 June 2026 The boy’s name is Petros (Karydis) must hide behind a mask per his strict grandmother, who is the mayor, and his overprotective mother. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026 Jeon-bok is overprotective of her beloved granddaughter, who lives life with a dangerous heart condition. — Kayti Burt, Time, 15 May 2026 Pascal has a deep connection to The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola’s 1999 feature directorial debut, which stars Kirsten Dunst as Lux Lisbon—one of five sisters raised by overprotective Catholic parents. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026 The original 2003 Pixar movie, produced for Walt Disney Pictures, tells the story of an overprotective clownfish, Marlin, searching for his missing son, Nemo. — Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overprotective
Adjective
  • Trump has repeatedly insisted that the damage to the Reflecting Pool resulted from intentional vandalism, claiming that vandals cut a gash hundreds of feet long in the pool’s protective lining.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
  • With methane—a potent greenhouse gas—ousted from the atmosphere, and the creation of the UV-protective ozone layer (which still shields us from the sun’s rays today), the Earth began to cool and experienced one of its earliest ice ages.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Obsession follows a socially awkward young man named Bear, who finds himself at a crossroads when his wish to win the heart of his longtime crush takes on frighteningly possessive consequences.
    — Mariam Bagdady, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Many historians believe Hitler was infatuated with Raubal and that his behaviour towards her became intensely controlling and possessive in nature.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • However, pointing that out while Lisa is taking a victory lap on this trip is just making Heather look jealous and unsupportive.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Bruno was left a little jealous after seeing what transpired at Reliant Stadium.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overprotective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overprotective. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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