as in territory
a small country that is controlled and protected by a larger one
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of protectorate
In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces captured the British protectorate of North Borneo.
—
Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
Gaza became an Egyptian protectorate, and the West Bank was annexed by Jordan.
—Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
The National Center of Meteorology in Abu Dhabi said the rain in the UAE surpassed anything since records began in 1949, when the area was still a British protectorate and before the discovery of oil.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024
While Tunisia was under French protectorate (1881-1956), Lucien Baizeau met Le Corbusier in Stuttgart and convinced him to design his Tunisian residence.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for protectorate 
Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
Gaza became an Egyptian protectorate, and the West Bank was annexed by Jordan.
—Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
The National Center of Meteorology in Abu Dhabi said the rain in the UAE surpassed anything since records began in 1949, when the area was still a British protectorate and before the discovery of oil.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024
While Tunisia was under French protectorate (1881-1956), Lucien Baizeau met Le Corbusier in Stuttgart and convinced him to design his Tunisian residence.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for protectorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protectorate
Noun
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For eight decades, the two countries have been joined in close friendship, with a reciprocal recognition of territories, rights, and obligations.—
Adam Price,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
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Most of Jesus’ ministry had been centered in the northern territories surrounding the Sea of Galilee, away from the seat of power.—
Lynne Silva-Breen,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Musk had not faced questions since taking the lead on Trump's mandate to dismantle federal agencies.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
11 Feb. 2025
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The metropolitan area straddles Arkansas – which had a school vaccine mandate in place – and Texas, which didn't.—
Maria Godoy,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But the deeper transformation of supply chains that policymakers envisioned — rebuilding domestic manufacturing capacity and reducing dependencies on China — remains largely unrealized.—
Jackie Snow,
Quartz,
8 Feb. 2025
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In interviews, several recognized the need to streamline its bureaucracy, and even questioned an aid system that relies so heavily on American contractors and fosters a damaging culture of dependency among African governments.—
Declan Walsh,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Protectorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protectorate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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