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
protectionist
adjective
Examples of protectionist in a Sentence
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Their attorney, Matt Liles of the Institute for Justice, described the laws as protectionist and unfair for private businesses like Caskets of Honor.
—
Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 6 Feb. 2026
China criticized the European Union’s in-depth probe into subsidies for Chinese wind power companies, calling the move protectionist and vowing it would take action to protect the country’s interests.
—Alfred Cang, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Democrats and Republicans continued squabbling over the content of trade policy, but the protectionist impulse largely receded and was replaced by a consensus that lower trade barriers would support economic recovery and advance broader foreign policy goals.
—Inu Manak, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
The trade tensions had flared after Brussels slapped tariffs of up to 45% in October last year on electric vehicles imported from China, drawing Beijing to denounce it as protectionist.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
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Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 6 Feb. 2026
China criticized the European Union’s in-depth probe into subsidies for Chinese wind power companies, calling the move protectionist and vowing it would take action to protect the country’s interests.
—Alfred Cang, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Democrats and Republicans continued squabbling over the content of trade policy, but the protectionist impulse largely receded and was replaced by a consensus that lower trade barriers would support economic recovery and advance broader foreign policy goals.
—Inu Manak, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
The trade tensions had flared after Brussels slapped tariffs of up to 45% in October last year on electric vehicles imported from China, drawing Beijing to denounce it as protectionist.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for protectionist
Cite this Entry
“Protectionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protectionist. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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