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
-
Electronic Frontier Foundation, which describes itself as a nonprofit that defends digital privacy, free speech and innovation, previously said the bill is too vague in defining what counts as negligence by a social media company and could result in broad censorship.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
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In a 2025 prison interview included in the documentary, Young defends his treatments and denies making anyone sick or discouraging his patients from seeing their doctors.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The administration made noises last year about firing Powell despite federal law that shields the chair from serving strictly at the president’s pleasure.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Both are interwoven with conductive materials such as stainless steel threads, which form a Faraday cage that shields the wearer against the lines’ electric fields.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this month, the justices heard arguments in a case that could overturn or severely narrow the 1935 precedent that safeguards agency independence.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Each of these scenic properties safeguards the environment, prioritizes sustainable practices, and provides guests with luxury accommodations.—
Kristin Songy Diehl,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Forward Condron and guards Ma, Smith, Maxie and Rose are on the court an average of at least 29 minutes a game this season.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
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Bechard also guards the opposing team’s top scorer, regardless of that player’s physical makeup.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protects. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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