protect

pro·tect

verb \prə-ˈtekt\

Definition of PROTECT

transitive verb

1

a : to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction : guard b : defend 1c <protect the goal>

2

: to maintain the status or integrity of especially through financial or legal guarantees: as a : to save from contingent financial loss b : to foster or shield from infringement or restriction <salesmen with protected territories> <protect one's rights>; specifically : to restrict competition for (as domestic industries) by means of tariffs or trade controls

3

: defend 5 <protect a lead>

intransitive verb

: to provide a guard or shield <protects against tooth decay>

— pro·tect·able \-ˈtek-tə-bəl\ adjective

— pro·tec·tive \-ˈtek-tiv\ adjective

— pro·tec·tive·ly adverb

— pro·tec·tive·ness noun

Examples of PROTECT

1. He had no raincoat to protect himself from the rain.
2. She keeps her jewelry protected in a safe.
3. You have to protect your business against fraud.
4. New laws have been passed to protect your privacy.
5. The forest is protected by federal law.
6. The high taxes on imported goods are intended to protect domestic producers.
7. Sunscreen helps to protect against sunburn.
8. The insurance protects you against flooding.
9. The insurance does not protect against damage caused by earthquakes.

Origin of PROTECT

Middle English, from Latin protectus, past participle of protegere, from pro- in front + tegere to cover — more at pro-, thatch

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PROTECT

Synonyms: bulwark, cover, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, defend, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward

Antonyms: assail, assault, attack

Related Words: avert, prevent; oppose, resist, withstand; battle, contend, fight, war; conserve, preserve, save; buffer, palisade, picket, wall

Near Antonyms: bombard, storm; beset, besiege, overrun; capitulate, cave, submit, yield

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See Synonym Discussion at defend

Rhymes with PROTECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked