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

The main issue is whether a piecemeal sale would protect more jobs than a buyer willing to keep Poundland as a national chain.

From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2026

How would the prison system protect him from the Iranians?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2026

The ability to recover proteins from fossils this old is particularly valuable because tooth enamel can protect biological material for extraordinarily long periods.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 11, 2026

That includes doing your due diligence to understand union regulations and how to protect your intellectual property.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2026

My yellow Converse sank into an inch of flattened hay, and my sundress did nothing to protect my legs from it tickling my calves and ankles.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Six Unknown Named Agents, the Supreme Court recognized that the Constitution inherently empowers people to sue federal agents who violate the rights that the Constitution protects.

From Slate ● Nov. 10, 2026

The program was established in 1984 under the State Department's national security rewards program to offer money for information that protects American lives and interests.

From Barron's ● Nov. 7, 2026

Trump's order calls on the office to be maintained by the National Park Service "in a manner that protects its historic character, architectural integrity, and association with the Presidency".

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

Scientists have solved a biological mystery that remained unanswered for more than three decades, uncovering an unexpected way the immune system protects the body from its own inflammatory response.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026

"They say the king gives justice and protects the weak."

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

The Prince of Wales says more must be done to ensure that women in the armed forces are shown respect and protected from sexual harassment.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026

An 8-year-old Haitian boy who lost protected status earlier this year was placed in federal custody after an immigration check-in last week in San Diego, according to federal and school district officials.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2026

The question is: How do we protect my partner, me and my kids to make sure if something happens to one of us that everyone is protected?

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026

The explosion blasted more debris toward him, but he was protected by cast-iron grates above him that were part of the boiler structure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

At four the next morning I camped off the trail in a small meadow protected by a ring of spruce trees.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

They also highlight the lasting impact of international cooperation in protecting Earth's atmosphere.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 11, 2026

The court could not do that protecting because it had not taken responsibility for Walliams' psychiatric treatment or safety.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026

Early in the war, Aramco advisers urged investment in storage, while the company focused on protecting facilities and alternative routes, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026

“If you live together without an agreement, it’s not protecting anyone.”

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026

I stared at the paisley pattern of the long red curtain across the aisle and considered pulling it back to see for myself who we were protecting behind it.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

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