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to overprotect

to overprotect

1 5.1
Keep someone too safe so they do not face problems or learn to do things alone
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərprəˈtɛkt/
translation icon : sobreproteger
  • It's time we stopped overprotecting these kids.

Examples

  • Although one does not want to overprotect the child, he or she should wear protective gear during sports and physical activities.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Yet she remained determined not to overprotect them, and she kept her worry a secret, privately condemning herself for indulging the faithless emotion and always greeting the children with remarkable composure, interrogating them about tomorrow's schedule as though they were her adult employees.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • I suppose since you must be both mother and father to son, tendency to overprotect is strong.

  • The instinct is to overprotect, but didn't we always teach them to stretch themselves?

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Information and guidance on careers may help families not to overprotect their daughters or pressure them to overachieve.

    Academic text (1990)
  • I was overprotected in some ways, but, in other ways, my judgment of people was corrupted.

  • I am saying that it's possible that you're overprotecting the kids because you're scared.

  • Many parents often tend to overprotect their children, preventing them from learning important life skills.

  • Teachers encourage us not to overprotect students from making mistakes, as this helps them grow.

  • It's important to strike a balance and not overprotect your kids, allowing them to face challenges on their own.

Synonyms

to fuss
vsto overprotect
13 3.5

To give someone too much care or attention

focuses on preventing risk taking and independent growth
to mother
vsto overprotect
12 5.1

To care for someone in a very loving and protective way

stops someone from taking risks or becoming self reliant
to cosset
vsto overprotect
1 9.1

To give someone too much care and protection so they do not face problems

stops someone from facing difficulties taking risks or becoming independent
to overcontrol
vsto overprotect
7.2

To tell someone what to do too much and stop their independence

limits freedom by preventing facing difficulties and taking risks
to overhandle
vsto overprotect
7.7

Make a person or situation too controlled so they cannot act on their own

prevents people from facing challenges that build independence

Antonyms

104 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

How Protective

to overprotect
1 5.1
to shield
146 2.7
to protect
1.0
to look after
472 1.1
to ignore
1.0

Surface Forms

overprotect infinitive
overprotected past participle
overprotecting present participle
overprotects third person singular

Morphology

overprotect = protect (transparent) = over + protect + over

The productive prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' combines with 'protect' to yield 'protect too much', which is directly inferable.

Etymology

Overprotect is made of over- meaning 'too much' and protect meaning 'to keep safe', as in overcook or overdo to show too much of something. So, to overprotect someone is to keep them too safe in a way that stops them from facing problems and becoming independent.