protectionist

noun

pro·​tec·​tion·​ist prə-ˈtek-sh(ə-)nist 

: an advocate of government economic protection for domestic producers through restrictions on foreign competitors

protectionism

prə-ˈtek-shə-ˌni-zəm 

noun

protectionist adjective

Examples of protectionist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

National conservatives, including a number of Republican politicians, base their policy agenda—anti-immigrant, protectionist, isolationist, socially traditionalist—on an American identity defined by ethnic and religious heritage rather than democratic values. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025

Beijing styles itself as a partner for the developing world, a force for economic and social progress from Asia to Latin America and Africa, in contrast to an America that has turned protectionist. —Andy Browne, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Populists, protectionists, fossil-fuel lobbies, to name a few. —Natalie Unterstell, Time, 6 Nov. 2025

Some have responded by becoming more protectionist or looking to foster relations with China, which has tried to be seen as a promoter of free trade. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for protectionist

• connectionist
• perfectionist
• projectionist