overprotective

[oh-ver-pruh-tek-tiv] / ˌoʊ vər prəˈtɛk tɪv /

ADJECTIVE

unduly protective

Synonyms

STRONGEST

protecting protective shielding

STRONG

grandmotherly nannyish vigilant

WEAK

conscientious finicky fussy mollycoddling patronizing punctilious restrictive scrupulous squeamish

Antonyms

WEAK

careless

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.

For many years American Jewish writing seemed to be all about sons—sons launched from Chicago, Brooklyn and the Bronx, sons of overprotective mothers, comics punning on “the son also rises.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

That can make people vulnerable, and it can also make well-intentioned children overprotective.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 1, 2025

Chloe Rist, Mason's sister, told the court how their family had been overprotective of him "because he was so vulnerable and harmless".

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2024

Joel is overprotective to the extent of control.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2023

“Uh, no. They’re cool. They’re just kinda overprotective, I guess.”

From "Paper Towns" by John Green