protectorate

as in territory
a small country that is controlled and protected by a larger one

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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 protectorate Within 35 years, virtually the entire continent, only a few patches excepted, was made up of European colonies or protectorates. Adam Hochschild, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018 In 1815, Monaco became a Sardinian protectorate before receiving independence once again in 1861. Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 21 Mar. 2025 Elon Musk's assault on the federal government has supercharged Tesla's evolution from liberal status symbol to pride-of-MAGA protectorate. Nathan Bomey, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025 De jure and de facto European protectorates, such as China, Egypt, Tunisia, and the Ottoman Empire, belonged to the gray zone of states that were nominally independent but in reality were under the thumb of European powers. Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022 See All Example Sentences for protectorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protectorate
Noun
  • Stocks have made an impressive comeback after suffering steep declines in April, after Trump’s sweeping tariff policy pushed the S&P 500 near bear market territory.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 30 June 2025
  • Russia has been using mines extensively in Ukraine’s territory, but according a 2023 report from Human Rights Watch found that Ukraine has also used antipersonnel landmines.
    Kostya Gak, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Failure to acquire the additional capacity would mean HSBC’s return-to-office mandate could be dead on arrival, with thousands of staff unable to find desk space at the bank’s buildings.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 June 2025
  • The ruling Friday marked a major win for civil liberties groups who say the mandate violates the separation of church and state and the poster-sized displays would isolate students -- especially those who are not Christian.
    Democrat-Gazette staff, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The breaks show the hidden dependencies where your business still needs you as a crutch.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The states with the highest vice dependencies are Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Protectorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protectorate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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