WordWeb Online

1. 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 colouring"; "protective tariffs"
    
2. Showing care
   "a protective mother"
    
3. (usually followed by 'of') solicitously caring or mindful
   "protective of his reputation"

See also: antifertility, careful, cautionary, contraceptive, custodial, defensive, evasive, overprotective, preservative, preventative, preventive, prophylactic, protect, protecting, protectively, protectiveness, restrictive, safety-related, tender, tutelar, tutelary

Antonym: unprotective