| protective | | |
| adj. | 1. protective | intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind.; "a protective covering"; "the use of protective masks and equipment"; "protective coatings"; "kept the drunken sailor in protective custody"; "animals with protective coloring"; "protective tariffs" |
| ~ defensive | intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack.; "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance" |
| ~ preventative, preventive | tending to prevent or hinder. |
| ~ cautionary, prophylactic | warding off.; "the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples" |
| ~ antifertility, contraceptive, prophylactic | capable of preventing conception or impregnation.; "contraceptive devices and medications" |
| ~ custodial, tutelar, tutelary | providing protective supervision; watching over or safeguarding.; "daycare that is educational and not just custodial"; "a guardian angel"; "tutelary gods" |
| ~ evasive | avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger especially enemy fire.; "pilots are taught to take evasive action" |
| ~ overprotective | overly protective.; "overprotective parents" |
| ~ preservative | tending or having the power to preserve.; "timbers should be treated with a preservative substance" |
| ~ protecting | shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort.; "the protecting blanket of snow"; "a protecting alibi" |
| ~ restrictive | (of tariff) protective of national interests by restricting imports. |
| ~ safety-related | providing or ensuring safety. |
| adj. | 2. protective | showing care.; "a protective mother" |
| ~ tender | given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality.; "a tender heart"; "a tender smile"; "tender loving care"; "tender memories"; "a tender mother" |
| adj. | 3. protective | (usually followed by `of') solicitously caring or mindful.; "protective of his reputation" |
| ~ careful | exercising caution or showing care or attention.; "they were careful when crossing the busy street"; "be careful to keep her shoes clean"; "did very careful research"; "careful art restorers"; "careful of the rights of others"; "careful about one's behavior" |
| protection | | |
| n. (act) | 1. protection | the activity of protecting someone or something.; "the witnesses demanded police protection" |
| ~ activity | any specific behavior.; "they avoided all recreational activity" |
| ~ air cover | the use of military aircraft to provide protection against attack by enemy aircraft during ground or naval operations. |
| ~ shielding | the act of shielding from harm. |
| ~ preservation, saving | the activity of protecting something from loss or danger. |
| ~ momism, overprotection, overshielding | excessive protection. |
| ~ defence, defense | the act of defending someone or something against attack or injury.; "a good boxer needs a good defense"; "defense against hurricanes is an urgent problem" |
| ~ defense, defence | protection from harm.; "sanitation is the best defense against disease" |
| ~ inoculating, vaccinating | the act of protecting against disease by introducing a vaccine into the body to induce immunity.; "doctors examined the recruits but nurses did the inoculating" |
| ~ patrol | the activity of going around or through an area at regular intervals for security purposes. |
| ~ self-defence, self-defense, self-protection | the act of defending yourself. |
| ~ insulation | the act of protecting something by surrounding it with material that reduces or prevents the transmission of sound or heat or electricity. |
| ~ locking, lockup | the act of locking something up to protect it. |
| ~ escort, accompaniment | the act of accompanying someone or something in order to protect them. |
| ~ covering | the act of protecting something by covering it. |
| ~ immunisation, immunization | the act of making immune (especially by inoculation). |
| ~ guardianship, tutelage, care, charge | attention and management implying responsibility for safety.; "he is in the care of a bodyguard" |
| ~ ruggedisation, ruggedization | the act of making a piece of equipment rugged (strengthening to resist wear or abuse). |
| ~ sealing, waterproofing | the act of treating something to make it repel water. |
| ~ civil defense | activities organized by civilians for their own protection in time of war or disaster. |
| n. (artifact) | 2. protection, protective cover, protective covering | a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury.; "they had no protection from the fallout"; "wax provided protection for the floors" |
| ~ armor, armour | protective covering made of metal and used in combat. |
| ~ bell glass, bell jar | a bell-shaped glass cover used to protect and display delicate objects or to cover scientific apparatus or to contain gases. |
| ~ ring-binder, binder | holds loose papers or magazines. |
| ~ book binding, cover, binding, back | the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book.; "the book had a leather binding" |
| ~ screen, blind | a protective covering that keeps things out or hinders sight.; "they had just moved in and had not put up blinds yet" |
| ~ armguard, bracer | a protective covering for the wrist or arm that is used in archery and fencing and other sports. |
| ~ cap | something serving as a cover or protection. |
| ~ cloche | a low transparent cover put over young plants to protect them from cold. |
| ~ coaster | a covering (plate or mat) that protects the surface of a table (i.e., from the condensation on a cold glass or bottle). |
| ~ cold frame | protective covering consisting of a wooden frame with a glass top in which small plants are protected from the cold. |
| ~ covering | an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it). |
| ~ watch crystal, watch glass, crystal | a protective cover that protects the face of a watch. |
| ~ dust cover | a removable plastic protective covering for a piece of equipment. |
| ~ faceplate | a protective covering for the front of a machine or device (as a door lock or computer component). |
| ~ cladding, facing | a protective covering that protects the outside of a building. |
| ~ fall-board, fallboard | the hinged protective covering that protects the keyboard of a piano when it is not being played. |
| ~ escutcheon, finger plate, scutcheon | a flat protective covering (on a door or wall etc) to prevent soiling by dirty fingers. |
| ~ heat shield | a protective covering that protects a spacecraft from overheating on reentry. |
| ~ cowl, cowling, bonnet, hood | protective covering consisting of a metal part that covers the engine.; "there are powerful engines under the hoods of new cars"; "the mechanic removed the cowling in order to repair the plane's engine" |
| ~ housing | a protective cover designed to contain or support a mechanical component. |
| ~ lining, liner | a protective covering that protects an inside surface. |
| ~ mask | a protective covering worn over the face. |
| ~ mulch | a protective covering of rotting vegetable matter spread to reduce evaporation and soil erosion. |
| ~ roof | a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building. |
| ~ roof | protective covering on top of a motor vehicle. |
| ~ screen | a protective covering consisting of netting; can be mounted in a frame.; "they put screens in the windows for protection against insects"; "a metal screen protected the observers" |
| ~ shade | protective covering that protects something from direct sunlight.; "they used umbrellas as shades"; "as the sun moved he readjusted the shade" |
| ~ sheath | a protective covering (as for a knife or sword). |
| ~ overlay, overlayer, sheathing | protective covering consisting, for example, of a layer of boards applied to the studs and joists of a building to strengthen it and serve as a foundation for a weatherproof exterior. |
| ~ shelter | protective covering that provides protection from the weather. |
| ~ shield | a protective covering or structure. |
| ~ dashboard, splashboard, splasher | protective covering consisting of a panel to protect people from the splashing water or mud etc.. |
| ~ splasher | a protective covering over or beside a wheel to protect the upper part of a vehicle from splashes of mud. |
| ~ testudo | a movable protective covering that provided protection from above; used by Roman troops when approaching the walls of a besieged fortification. |
| ~ thumbstall | protective covering for an injured thumb. |
| ~ toecap | a protective leather or steel cover for the toe of a boot or shoe, reinforcing or decorating it. |
| ~ splashboard, washboard | protective covering consisting of a broad plank along a gunwale to keep water from splashing over the side. |
| n. (possession) | 3. protection, security | defense against financial failure; financial independence.; "his pension gave him security in his old age"; "insurance provided protection against loss of wages due to illness" |
| ~ assets | anything of material value or usefulness that is owned by a person or company. |
| ~ easy street | financial security. |
| ~ hedging, hedge | any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change. |
| ~ insurance | promise of reimbursement in the case of loss; paid to people or companies so concerned about hazards that they have made prepayments to an insurance company. |
| n. (state) | 4. protection, shelter | the condition of being protected.; "they were huddled together for protection"; "he enjoyed a sense of peace and protection in his new home" |
| ~ security | the state of being free from danger or injury.; "we support the armed services in the name of national security" |
| ~ indemnity, insurance | protection against future loss. |
| ~ radioprotection | protection against harmful effects of radiation. |
| n. (act) | 5. aegis, auspices, protection | kindly endorsement and guidance.; "the tournament was held under the auspices of the city council" |
| ~ endorsement, indorsement | the act of endorsing.; "a star athlete can make a lot of money from endorsements" |
| n. (act) | 6. protection, trade protection | the imposition of duties or quotas on imports in order to protect domestic industry against foreign competition.; "he made trade protection a plank in the party platform" |
| ~ imposition, infliction | the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo). |
| n. (act) | 7. protection, tribute | payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence.; "every store in the neighborhood had to pay him protection" |
| ~ extortion | the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence). |
| defend | | |
| v. (communication) | 1. defend, fend for, support | argue or speak in defense of.; "She supported the motion to strike" |
| ~ argue, reason | present reasons and arguments. |
| ~ apologise, rationalize, apologize, rationalise, justify, excuse | defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning.; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success" |
| ~ stick up, stand up | defend against attack or criticism.; "He stood up for his friend"; "She stuck up for the teacher who was accused of harassing the student" |
| ~ uphold | stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals. |
| v. (competition) | 2. defend | be on the defensive; act against an attack. |
| ~ fight, struggle, contend | be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight.; "the tribesmen fought each other"; "Siblings are always fighting"; "Militant groups are contending for control of the country" |
| ~ bulwark | defend with a bulwark. |
| ~ protect | shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage.; "Weatherbeater protects your roof from the rain" |
| ~ ward off | avert, turn away, or repel.; "Ward off danger" |
| ~ hold back, arrest, turn back, contain, stop, check | hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of.; "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism" |
| ~ prevent, keep | stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state.; "We must prevent the cancer from spreading"; "His snoring kept me from falling asleep"; "Keep the child from eating the marbles" |
| v. (competition) | 3. defend, guard, hold | protect against a challenge or attack.; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks" |
| ~ protect | shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage.; "Weatherbeater protects your roof from the rain" |
| ~ hold | take and maintain control over, often by violent means.; "The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week" |
| v. (competition) | 4. defend, fight, fight back, fight down, oppose | fight against or resist strongly.; "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don't fight it!" |
| ~ fight, struggle, contend | be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight.; "the tribesmen fought each other"; "Siblings are always fighting"; "Militant groups are contending for control of the country" |
| ~ recalcitrate | show strong objection or repugnance; manifest vigorous opposition or resistance; be obstinately disobedient.; "The Democratic senators recalcitrated against every proposal from the Republican side" |
| ~ fend, resist, stand | withstand the force of something.; "The trees resisted her"; "stand the test of time"; "The mountain climbers had to fend against the ice and snow" |
| ~ stand firm, hold out, resist, withstand | stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something. |
| ~ drive back, fight off, repulse, rebuff, repel | force or drive back.; "repel the attacker"; "fight off the onslaught"; "rebuff the attack" |
| v. (competition) | 5. champion, defend | protect or fight for as a champion. |
| ~ back, endorse, indorse, plump for, plunk for, support | be behind; approve of.; "He plumped for the Labor Party"; "I backed Kennedy in 1960" |
| v. (social) | 6. defend, represent | be the defense counsel for someone in a trial.; "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant" |
| v. (communication) | 7. defend, maintain | state or assert.; "He maintained his innocence" |
| ~ vindicate | maintain, uphold, or defend.; "vindicate the rights of the citizens" |
| ~ affirm | say yes to. |
| protect | | |
| v. (competition) | 1. protect | shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage.; "Weatherbeater protects your roof from the rain" |
| ~ cover for | provide an excuse or alibi for someone so as to cover up guilt.; "I won't lie and cover for you" |
| ~ defend | be on the defensive; act against an attack. |
| ~ immunise, immunize | law: grant immunity from prosecution. |
| ~ overprotect | protect excessively.; "Don't overprotect your son--he is an adult now!" |
| ~ look out | to protect someone's interests.; "A man's gotta look out for his family" |
| ~ cover | hold within range of an aimed firearm. |
| ~ ward, guard | watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect.; "guard my possessions while I'm away" |
| ~ defend, guard, hold | protect against a challenge or attack.; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks" |
| ~ shield, screen | protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm. |
| ~ charm | protect through supernatural powers or charms. |
| ~ palisade, wall, fence in, fence, surround | surround with a wall in order to fortify. |
| ~ safeguard | make safe. |
| ~ cover | protect or defend (a position in a game).; "he covered left field" |
| ~ cover | be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game. |
| ~ mothproof | protect from moths.; "mothproof woollen clothes during the summer" |
| ~ body guard | accompany and protect from physical harm. |
| ~ insure | take out insurance for. |
| ~ cover | to take an action to protect against future problems.; "Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself" |
| ~ preserve, keep | maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger.; "May God keep you" |
| v. (competition) | 2. protect | use tariffs to favor domestic industry. |
| ~ trade | the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services.; "Venice was an important center of trade with the East"; "they are accused of conspiring to constrain trade" |
| ~ assist | act as an assistant in a subordinate or supportive function. |
| shield | | |
| n. (artifact) | 1. shield | a protective covering or structure. |
| ~ nipple shield | a rubber or plastic shield to protect the nipples of nursing women. |
| ~ scale, shell, plate | a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners). |
| ~ protective cover, protective covering, protection | a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury.; "they had no protection from the fallout"; "wax provided protection for the floors" |
| ~ shielding | a shield of lead or concrete intended as a barrier to radiation emitted in nuclear decay. |
| ~ shielding | shield consisting of an arrangement of metal mesh or plates designed to protect electronic equipment from ambient electromagnetic interference. |
| n. (artifact) | 2. buckler, shield | armor carried on the arm to intercept blows. |
| ~ armor, armour | protective covering made of metal and used in combat. |
| ~ scutcheon, escutcheon | a shield; especially one displaying a coat of arms. |
| ~ pavis, pavise | (Middle Ages) a large heavy oblong shield protecting the whole body; originally carried but sometimes set up in permanent position. |
| n. (animal) | 3. carapace, cuticle, shell, shield | hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles. |
| ~ turtle | any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell and flipper-like limbs for swimming. |
| ~ arthropod | invertebrate having jointed limbs and a segmented body with an exoskeleton made of chitin. |
| ~ cuticula | the outer body wall of an insect. |
| ~ scute | large bony or horny plate as on an armadillo or turtle or the underside of a snake. |
| ~ mollusc, mollusk, shellfish | invertebrate having a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a shell. |
| ~ shell | the material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals. |
| v. (competition) | 4. screen, shield | protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm. |
| ~ protect | shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage.; "Weatherbeater protects your roof from the rain" |
| v. (perception) | 5. harbor, harbour, shield | hold back a thought or feeling about.; "She is harboring a grudge against him" |
| ~ conceal, hide | prevent from being seen or discovered.; "Muslim women hide their faces"; "hide the money" |
| obstruct | | |
| v. (social) | 1. block, blockade, embarrass, hinder, obstruct, stymie, stymy | hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of.; "His brother blocked him at every turn" |
| ~ stonewall | obstruct or hinder any discussion.; "Nixon stonewalled the Watergate investigation"; "When she doesn't like to face a problem, she simply stonewalls" |
| ~ foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent, forbid | keep from happening or arising; make impossible.; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"; "Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project" |
| ~ filibuster | obstruct deliberately by delaying. |
| ~ check | block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey. |
| ~ hang | prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury. |
| ~ bottleneck | slow down or impede by creating an obstruction.; "His laziness has bottlenecked our efforts to reform the system" |
| v. (contact) | 2. block, close up, impede, jam, obstruct, obturate, occlude | block passage through.; "obstruct the path" |
| ~ block off, blockade | obstruct access to. |
| ~ barricado, barricade | block off with barricades. |
| ~ barricade | prevent access to by barricading.; "The street where the President lives is always barricaded" |
| ~ asphyxiate, suffocate, stifle, choke | impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of.; "The foul air was slowly suffocating the children" |
| ~ tie up | restrain from moving or operating normally.; "Traffic is tied up for miles around the bridge where the accident occurred" |
| ~ dam, dam up | obstruct with, or as if with, a dam.; "dam the gorges of the Yangtse River" |
| ~ block out, screen | prevent from entering.; "block out the strong sunlight" |
| ~ earth up, land up | block with earth, as after a landslide. |
| ~ barricade, block, block up, bar, block off, blockade, stop | render unsuitable for passage.; "block the way"; "barricade the streets"; "stop the busy road" |
| ~ clog, clog up, congest, choke off, foul, back up, choke | become or cause to become obstructed.; "The leaves clog our drains in the Fall"; "The water pipe is backed up" |
| ~ hinder, impede | be a hindrance or obstacle to.; "She is impeding the progress of our project" |
| v. (perception) | 3. block, obstruct | shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight.; "The thick curtain blocked the action on the stage"; "The trees obstruct my view of the mountains" |
| ~ barricade, block, block up, bar, block off, blockade, stop | render unsuitable for passage.; "block the way"; "barricade the streets"; "stop the busy road" |
| ~ conceal, hide | prevent from being seen or discovered.; "Muslim women hide their faces"; "hide the money" |
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