protect
- to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
- 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.).
- to provide, or be capable of providing, protection: a floor wax that protects as well as shines.
Origin of protect
Synonyms for protect
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
Antonyms for protect
Related Words for protect
preserve, safeguard, shield, shelter, defend, cover, insulate, conserve, assure, secure, cushion, save, support, keep, fend, champion, bulwark, harbor, screen, watchExamples from the Web for protect
Contemporary Examples of protect
When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”
Luckily, Tor was prepared for this sort of assault, and has built-in defenses to protect against it.
Such large sheets are common in Kobani, meant to protect fighters and civilians from the ever gazing eyes of ISIS snipers.
Sometimes politicians oppose reform for nefarious reasons—to protect a special interest or a major donor, for example.
The NRA wants the ability to sue local officials for passing laws that protect public safety.
Historical Examples of protect
On his death-bed he charged his nephew to protect and cherish me as a sister.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
They were putting on outer clothes from the store-room to protect them from the dirt and damp.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
Could he be asked to shield and protect her, or what would become of her?
MalboneThomas Wentworth Higginson
We must protect her from the consequences of her own foolishness.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton CampusJessie Graham Flower
I prayed for forgiveness, and asked God to direct and protect me.
Biography of a SlaveCharles Thompson
protect
- 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)
Word Origin for protect
Word Origin and History for protect
mid-15c., from Latin protectus, past participle of protegere "to protect, cover in front" (see protection). International economics sense from 1789. Related: Protected; protecting.