Synonyms

protect

American

[pruh-tekt] / prəˈtɛkt /

verb (used with object)

to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.

Synonyms:

shelter, screen

Antonyms:

attack
Economics. to guard (the industry or an industry of a nation) from foreign competition by imposing import duties.
to provide funds for the payment of (a draft, note, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to provide, or be capable of providing, protection.

a floor wax that protects as well as shines.

protect British

/ prəˈtɛkt /

verb

to defend from trouble, harm, attack, etc
economics to assist (domestic industries) by the imposition of protective tariffs on imports
commerce to provide funds in advance to guarantee payment of (a note, draft, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See defend.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of protect

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin prōtēctus “covered in front,” past participle of prōtegere “to cover in front,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + tegere “to cover” (akin to toga, thatch )

Explanation

Whether it’s your reputation or your jewelry, when you protect something you keep it safe from anything that might threaten or harm it. The word protect came into English by way of the Latin verb protegere, a combination of pro- meaning “in front,” and tegere, meaning “to cover.” When you protect something, in a way you’re covering it or shielding it from harm. Often the word is used in the sense of protecting something, like a valued item or a person, but you can also protect against something. For example, you might get a flu shot to protect against the flu virus.

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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.

See Examples For:

protect protects protected protecting

“Length, having a guy that can go two or three, is something where you essentially protect downside on the pitching,” Roberts said when asked what the Dodgers would prioritize.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026

Here are steps you can take to help protect your web cameras from outsiders.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

HSE inspector Robert Gidman told the court the "tragic incident" could have been prevented if the company had "adequate arrangements to protect its workers from harm".

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

But expanding them to the entire institution raises questions about the ICC's ability to pay staff, conduct investigations abroad, protect witnesses, and even operate its detention facilities.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

Maybe she didn’t tell Danny to protect him.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Ferguson, the focus is on a Washington state law that protects access to safe state-licensed youth shelters and subsidized mental healthcare counseling.

From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026

Gov. Kathy Hochul is demanding that legislators make changes to a law critics say protects abusers if a victim knowingly drank.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

"It protects the institution and then exposes the whistleblower to extreme retaliation and devastation to their lives and families," he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

“This is the gentleman who takes firefighters out and brings them home safely. He protects the homes and infrastructure all over not just Alaska, but now the world.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

It feels good that Nino Carlitos cares about me and protects me like a father.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau

But even protected cameras are vulnerable to determined hackers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

The plants, constructed in fortified bunkers and protected from drone attack by huge steel cages, are each capable of providing electricity and heat to several hundred of the city's high-rise apartment blocks.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

"Diagnosis remains essential and must be protected - what has to change is that it is no longer the only door through which help can be reached."

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Its sunken gardens and swimming pool promised comfort, while a blast door, escape hatches and air filtration protected against nuclear fallout.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

“Fortunately,” he went on, “I am better protected than before. New armor.”

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

That distinction suggests loneliness and social isolation may require different approaches when it comes to protecting health.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

"When you reveal any Ebola-related symptoms early, you're not only preventing the virus spreading to other countries but you're also protecting yourself first," he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

He said its achievements over the past decade have included defending the country against cyber attacks, safeguarding democratic institutions and protecting "the critical infrastructure upon which daily life depends".

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

I think improving the financial system, empowering citizens, protecting consumers, using this new technology to do just that—that is a public good.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Native people today are still involved in protecting their communities and their resources.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023