protectiveness
Urge to shield
Protectiveness is the inclination to shield someone or something from harm or threat.
It often carries warmth—a parent's protectiveness toward a child, a dog's protectiveness of its owner.
But it can tip into excess: His protectiveness bordered on controlling.
The word implies both care and vigilance.
Supportive care-giving
- caregivingAttending to dependents
- upbringingChildhood care and training
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
fostering · mentorship · supervision · education · patience · responsibility · adoption · child-rearing
Protective combat covering
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
bulwark · resistance · deterrence · countermeasure · garrison · stronghold · bastion · blockade
Support growth and development
- careAttentive regard for others
- bondingForming close connections
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
loyalty · empathy · compassion · kinship · affection · altruism · sacrifice · solidarity
State of keen awareness
- watchfulnessCareful, sustained attention
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- patrolRegular surveillance route
oversight · custody · escorting · sentry · sentinel · guardian · warden · bodyguard
Place of safety
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- havenShelter from danger
- asylumShelter from persecution
- harborSafe anchorage for ships
retreat · hideaway · cocoon · cover · roof · canopy · umbrella · bunker
Protection from threat
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- preventionStopping something before occurring
- alarmUrgent warning signal
warning · caution · backup · insurance · reliability · childproofing · lock · gate
nurturing
Supportive care-giving
- caregivingAttending to dependents
- upbringingChildhood care and training
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
discipline · fostering · mentorship · supervision · education · patience · responsibility · adoption · child-rearing · safeguarding
armor
Protective combat covering
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
barrier · bulwark · resistance · deterrence · countermeasure · garrison · stronghold · bastion · blockade · entrenchment
nurture
Support growth and development
- careAttentive regard for others
- bondingForming close connections
- attachmentConnection or fondness
devotion · loyalty · empathy · compassion · kinship · affection · altruism · sacrifice · solidarity · vigilance
vigilance
State of keen awareness
- watchfulnessCareful, sustained attention
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
patrol · oversight · custody · escorting · sentry · sentinel · guardian · warden · bodyguard · chaperone
refuge
Place of safety
harbor · retreat · hideaway · cocoon · cover · roof · canopy · umbrella · bunker · fortress
security
Protection from threat
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- preventionStopping something before occurring
alarm · warning · caution · backup · insurance · reliability · childproofing · lock · gate · fence
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, stand by
- caringcare, concern, attentiveness, tenderness, nurturing
- dog traitsloyal, friendly, loyalty, devoted, playful
- fondnessaffection, liking, fondness, tenderness, caring
- social feelingsadmiration, affection, animosity, antipathy, contempt
- feminine strengthresilience, nurturing, empathy, compassion, motherhood
protectivenessneglect
Failure to provide care
negligence · indifference · abandonment · carelessness · disregard
protectivenessendangerment
Causing risk of harm
harmfulness · recklessness · destructiveness · exploitation · cruelty
protectivenesspermissiveness
Tolerance of behavior others forbid
laissez-faire · noninterference · letting go · lenience · free rein
protect, protection, protective, protector, protecting, unprotected, protectors, protectorate, overprotective