needlessly protective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needlessly protective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is overly cautious or defensive without a valid reason. Example: "Her needlessly protective behavior made it difficult for him to make his own decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

We all need to educate the public and politicians not to believe otherwise.And Ms Mangu-Ward says:Matt Yglesias blogs about the story here, and his analysis is spot on--tariffs cause deadweight losses, keep prices needlessly high, large-scale unemployment tends to inspire more protective tariffs, etc.--but he can't quite pull the trigger on condemning the whole charade.

The Economist

"Black Bob" – a sobriquet he earned for his early habit of wearing a black protective helmet when moving around steelworks – could be needlessly critical and disparaging.

The Guardian - Business

Needlessly provocative?

The New York Times - Books

This is needlessly complicated.

The New York Times

Then, shyly, needlessly, "Housekeeping".

The New Yorker

They worry needlessly.

The Economist

They worried needlessly.

The New York Times

But needlessly complicated.

The New York Times - Tech

Sound needlessly complicated?

The New York Times - Books

Millions may be suffering needlessly.

Harvard University

Is NATO expansion needlessly provocative?

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needlessly protective", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the lack of necessity for the protectiveness. Consider providing specific examples of why the protectiveness is unwarranted to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "needlessly protective" when there is a genuine, even if small, risk involved. The phrase implies a complete absence of valid threat or need for caution.

Linguistic Context

Adverb + Adjective: The phrase "needlessly protective" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. The adverb "needlessly" modifies the adjective "protective", indicating that the protective action or behavior is unnecessary or unwarranted. Ludwig AI confirms this usage based on its analysis of similar contexts.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needlessly protective" is used to describe a situation where someone is being overly cautious or defensive without a valid reason. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It serves to express disapproval or criticism and has a neutral tone. Given the lack of examples, it's best to ensure the context clearly explains why the protectiveness is unwarranted. Alternatives such as "unnecessarily cautious" or "unwarrantedly defensive" can be used for a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessarily cautious

Emphasizes the lack of need for the caution being exercised.

overly cautious

Highlights the excessive degree of caution.

unduly protective

Suggests that the level of protectiveness is inappropriate or disproportionate.

unwarrantedly defensive

Focuses on the lack of justification for the defensiveness.

unjustifiably protective

Similar to "unwarrantedly defensive" but stresses the lack of a valid reason.

excessively shielding

Implies a high degree of guarding or covering from harm.

overzealously guarding

Implies a fervent or fanatical approach to protection.

needlessly vigilant

Highlights the unnecessary state of watchfulness.

gratuitously defensive

Highlights that the defensiveness is uncalled for and excessive.

unnecessarily sheltering

Focuses on the act of shielding someone from experiences or information when it's not required.

FAQs

How can "needlessly protective" be used in a sentence?

You can use "needlessly protective" to describe actions or behaviors that involve excessive caution or shielding where it is not warranted. For example, "Her needlessly protective behavior made it difficult for him to make his own decisions."

What's a good alternative to "needlessly protective"?

Alternatives include "unnecessarily cautious", "overly cautious", or "unwarrantedly defensive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "needlessly protective"?

While "protective" inherently implies a defensive posture, "needlessly" clarifies that the protection is unwarranted. The phrase is not strictly redundant, as it adds a specific judgment about the appropriateness of the protective action.

When is it appropriate to use "needlessly protective"?

Use "needlessly protective" when you want to emphasize that someone is taking precautions or shielding someone or something in a situation where there is little to no genuine risk or need. It highlights the excessiveness and lack of justification for the action.