protected; protecting; protects
1
a
: to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction : guard
b
: defend sense 1c
protect the goal
2
: to maintain the status or integrity of especially through financial or legal guarantees: such as
a
: to save from contingent financial loss
b
: to foster or shield from infringement or restriction
salesmen with protected territories
protect one's rights
specifically
: to restrict competition for (something, such as a domestic industry) by means of tariffs or trade controls
3
: defend sense 5
protect a lead
: to provide a guard or shield
protects against tooth decay
protectively
adverb
protectiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of protect in a Sentence
He had no raincoat to protect himself from the rain.
She keeps her jewelry protected in a safe.
You have to protect your business against fraud.
New laws have been passed to protect your privacy.
The forest is protected by federal law.
The high taxes on imported goods are intended to protect domestic producers.
Sunscreen helps to protect against sunburn.
The insurance protects you against flooding.
The insurance does not protect against damage caused by earthquakes.
Recent Examples on the Web
This includes even some mature and old-growth forests that Biden’s executive order was supposed to protect.
—
April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024
Given this, the U.S. government along with governments around the world are eager to harness the ocean for economic purposes, as well as protect it from the dangers of climate change.
—Devika Rao, theweek, 11 Nov. 2024
Prohibiting smoking is the only way to fully protect us from secondhand smoke exposure.
—David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
While climate denial allows people to protect themselves from feelings of distress, terror management theory suggests that denying death is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for protect 
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April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024
Given this, the U.S. government along with governments around the world are eager to harness the ocean for economic purposes, as well as protect it from the dangers of climate change.
—Devika Rao, theweek, 11 Nov. 2024
Prohibiting smoking is the only way to fully protect us from secondhand smoke exposure.
—David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
While climate denial allows people to protect themselves from feelings of distress, terror management theory suggests that denying death is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for protect
Dictionary Entries Near protect
Cite this Entry
“Protect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protect. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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