protect
verb (used with object)
to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
had protected
-
past perfectof protect.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The U.S. captured the 9/11 plotters, chased the Taliban who had protected Osama from Afghanistan, and diminished al Qaeda’s ability to attack again.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Slaughter overturned the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor precedent, which had protected regulators from at-will termination for 91 years.
From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026
One never knew when he might veer into a 20-minute reflection on the Mexican Revolution, or show off the amulets that he believed had protected him from COVID-19.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2024
When the team removed the skull from the clay that had protected it for thousands of years, salt crystals accumulated on it, damaging the fragile remains.
From Science Magazine ● Jun. 3, 2024
They had broken against her body, which had protected me from injury.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
