as in defends
to drive danger or attack away from
the mother bear was just trying to protect her cubs
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Recent Examples of protects
The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined in a federal whistleblower investigation that Balkan Express LLC violated the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which protects commercial motor vehicle safety complaints, according to the release.
—
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
Regular sweeping protects floors by removing gritty debris that can scratch and damage finishes.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
For example, Vaxelis protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and Hemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) with a single injection.
—Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Its suede lining protects lenses from scratches, and its thick material prevents glasses from getting crushed.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
These comments are important because our government must place premium in creating a society that respects human lives, secures its borders and protects its citizens.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Spent foliage over the winter also protects the roots against cold.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
All that is covered by a rigid T-Top that protects seafarers from the elements, meaning the sky-high space can be enjoyed year-round.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
Regular sweeping protects floors by removing gritty debris that can scratch and damage finishes.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
For example, Vaxelis protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and Hemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) with a single injection.
—Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Its suede lining protects lenses from scratches, and its thick material prevents glasses from getting crushed.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
These comments are important because our government must place premium in creating a society that respects human lives, secures its borders and protects its citizens.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Spent foliage over the winter also protects the roots against cold.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
All that is covered by a rigid T-Top that protects seafarers from the elements, meaning the sky-high space can be enjoyed year-round.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protects
Verb
-
Reyes defends pay, confirms residency During the meeting, CBS News Miami asked about the nearly half-million-dollar salary attached to the position.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Because the anti-Trump side defends the rule of law, it can be drawn into legalistic objections that sound pettifogging and irrelevant.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But even incremental progress would mark a break from a status quo that shields the powerful while leaving the rest behind.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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One where exhaust and propellant residues react with ozone, thinning the layer that shields life below.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Biotech safeguards our national security by bolstering agriculture and energy production and protecting us from pandemics and bioterrorism.—
Sen. Todd Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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Building a Cloud Security Strategy Building a cloud security framework that not only safeguards data but also enables an IT team to keep an eye out for potential threats is necessary to meet today's requirements.—
Jason Phillips,
jsonline.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Starting guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee ended the first half 0-of-7 shooting and Florida leading just 41-40, with 26 points by Haugh and Condon on 11-of-14 shooting.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
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Greenland also guards part of the GIUK Gap, named for the initials of Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.—
Stefanie Dazio,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protects. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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