self-protection

noun

self-pro·​tec·​tion ˌself-prə-ˈtek-shən How to pronounce self-protection (audio)
plural self-protections
: the act of protecting oneself, one's property, or one's group : self-defense
kept a bat under the bed for self-protection
… found that conflict-affected communities often develop sophisticated self-protection strategies …Lisa Fuller
GEMINI … A painful past makes you guard your feelings, but such self-protection can lead to isolation and missed opportunities.Harper's Bazaar
sometimes used before another noun
self-protection techniques
a self-protection seminar

Examples of self-protection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
It’s taught me that forgiveness and self-protection can coexist. As Told To Lindy Segal, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2025 Simon notes that Dutch people living under Nazi occupation had different motivations for collaborating with the Germans, which ranged from self-protection to antisemitism. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2025 In a case like this, self-protection is the most reasonable action. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 16 Dec. 2024 Here, the blurring is visual: Sometimes Leonard floats into the past looking like Gere, who wears the character without a shred of self-protection as the lens gawks at his raw skin. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for self-protection 

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-protection was in 1635

Dictionary Entries Near self-protection

Cite this Entry

“Self-protection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-protection. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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