1
as in etiquette
an accepted way of conducting oneself in a given situation
Their behavior was considered a breach of diplomatic protocol.
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2
as in procedure
a preestablished method of carrying out a task and especially a scientific or medical task
The school developed a protocol for the treatment of concussions on the sports field.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of protocol
Unwanted attention, breaking protocol or failing to read the room can quickly put someone on the outside looking in.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Fans attending Saturday’s game between the Mavericks and Lakers will notice a slight change in protocol for entering American Airlines Center.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Jennings cleared concussion protocol and was a full participant in practice all week.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Officials said the purpose of the state’s severe cold weather protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the cold, which could be life-threatening if they are exposed to the elements for an extended period of time.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for protocol
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Fans attending Saturday’s game between the Mavericks and Lakers will notice a slight change in protocol for entering American Airlines Center.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Jennings cleared concussion protocol and was a full participant in practice all week.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Officials said the purpose of the state’s severe cold weather protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the cold, which could be life-threatening if they are exposed to the elements for an extended period of time.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for protocol
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protocol
Noun
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On that Tuesday night in November, as on most Tuesdays, the room was being used as a classroom for Ruzicka and more than two dozen others to learn the dances and social etiquette of the 19th century English ballroom.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
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Kenney said older guests tend to be more attuned to tipping etiquette.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Disciplinary procedure documents shared with the Washington Examiner show that Goldis received several warnings from her higher-ups to stop speaking critically about the PGM sector.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
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The search of the backpack would have also been standard procedure, officers said.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These may include skipping meals, ignoring hunger clues, relying on rigid food rules and cutting out entire food groups, according to Garcia-Benson.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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Seat-time rules should never be the reason a capable student fails.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The company’s rapid integration technique is quick, low-cost and effective.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
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Gary LeBlanc is president and chief operating officer of EverMe, an app that analyzes and reports on scientific studies about supplements, antiaging techniques and other promises of longevity.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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No modern industrial narrative would be complete without Elon Musk, whose ventures span autonomous systems, space infrastructure, energy storage, and neural interfaces.—
Phil Kafarakis,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Aviation officials made strides to change military helicopter flight path rules around Washington, DC, and later promised a new air traffic control system would be implemented during the current presidential administration to support aviation safety.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In 2024, when the biennial count showed an increase in unhoused young adults ages 18 to 24, for example, Heyhoe said advocates developed a new pilot program aimed at preventing youth homelessness.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
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The massive K-pop machine is notorious for its artist development and production programs.—
Allison Cho,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Analysts and former diplomats told CNN that successive British governments have failed to strike the correct balance on China, resulting in a policy characterized by mistrust, skittishness and incoherence.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights organizes, educates, and defends immigrant communities, pairing on-the-ground support with an unflinching push for a more humane national policy.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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With the benefit of hindsight, analysts and investors have blamed much of Kraft Heinz’s downward spiral on the brutal cost-cutting strategy imposed after the merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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There are other factors that contribute to layoffs aside from new technology, like overhiring, the state of the economy and a shift in corporate strategy.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protocol.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protocol. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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