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protecting 1 of 2

adjective

as in guarding

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protecting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of protect
as in defending
to drive danger or attack away from the mother bear was just trying to protect her cubs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of protecting
Verb
Not the Los Angeles Dodgers’ front office, which should have been more proactive in protecting the team’s biggest star. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Preventing poisonings and seeking help promptly if they are suspected are key to protecting children. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 Stop chasing volume and start protecting real human attention. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Amid his growing career success, Ford remained adamant about protecting time at home. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026 The new mRNA flu vaccine is also an option, as it was found in one study to be 27% more effective at protecting against illnesses in older adults than a standard shot. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Commanders at military bases and personnel protecting critical infrastructure often do not have the legal authority to destroy or degrade drones that illegally fly into their airspace. — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 Jaime is charged with protecting the dog and the property — which Isabel’s human heirs can only claim once Prince dies. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protecting
  1. defending
  2. safeguarding
  3. guarding
  4. shielding
Verb
  • This week provides a major test for Houser and the offense with defending ACC champ Duke and defensive guru Manny Diaz coming to Champaign.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The office of the state attorney general is responsible for defending death penalty convictions on appeal.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of defending
Verb
  • The world's largest oil buyer has slashed its imports after the war broke out, tapping into its stockpiles, keeping a lid on global oil prices and safeguarding its economy.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • In 1995, after Selena’s tragic death at the hands of Yolanda Saldivar, the former president of her fan club, Abraham dedicated his life to safeguarding her legacy and overseeing primary control over her estate.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of safeguarding
Verb
  • Clingan has all the makings of a rim monster who could improve his technique guarding on the perimeter enough to make his drop coverage work in the postseason.
    — Victor Wembanyama, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of each broker guarding a separate list of properties, brokers shared information so buyers and sellers could find one another more easily.
    — Tomas J. Philipson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of guarding
Verb
  • It is now widely accepted that the policy could have contributed to the far-right’s rise by shielding it from the accountability that comes when parties hold office and face the reality of governing.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
  • These durable impact shields limit the minimum bending radius to prevent over-flexing while shielding the chain body from severe external abrasion.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of shielding

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Cite this Entry

“Protecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protecting. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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