protect
verb (used with object)
to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
were protecting
-
past progressiveof protect.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Executives said they wanted to help speed societal change, were protecting employees and were worried by potential business declines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2025
“This is someone who looked me in my eyes and told me that they were protecting me,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2025
They were protecting the ball in the corners, and wasting a bit of time - all that stuff.
From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2025
Bennett said the law prevented him from bringing charges because staff members were protecting themselves.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 26, 2024
Some nights, she would talk on the phone for a long time, her voice hushed, as though she were protecting something from the world’s prying gaze.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
