1
as in rules
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 procedures
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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Recent Examples of protocols
To memorialize those conversations, the State drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which outlined improvements to safety protocols and ways the State and City can best work together as issues arise.
—
Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Similarly, handcuffs, when used accordingly to strict protocols, are not instruments of abuse, but of protection.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Others have bounced between depression protocols, strict planners or generic life-coaching without ever grasping why the puzzle pieces refuse to connect.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Unlike purely national laboratories, Pasteur Institutes have historically operated as part of a network, sharing protocols, research findings, and training exchanges.
—Guy Vernet, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Think about what protocols need to be in place to keep up and enforce those rules.
—Brian Jacob, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
As this happened not far from Dundee Highlands, police were in immediate communication with school officials, who put safety protocols in place.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Early in her tenure, The Post organized a Zoom call with its staff and employees from its sister papers to review safety protocols during the George Floyd protests that had broken out in Denver in the summer of 2020.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
That philosophy has informed decisions across the business, from training programs to communication protocols.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Similarly, handcuffs, when used accordingly to strict protocols, are not instruments of abuse, but of protection.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Others have bounced between depression protocols, strict planners or generic life-coaching without ever grasping why the puzzle pieces refuse to connect.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Unlike purely national laboratories, Pasteur Institutes have historically operated as part of a network, sharing protocols, research findings, and training exchanges.
—Guy Vernet, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Think about what protocols need to be in place to keep up and enforce those rules.
—Brian Jacob, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
As this happened not far from Dundee Highlands, police were in immediate communication with school officials, who put safety protocols in place.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Early in her tenure, The Post organized a Zoom call with its staff and employees from its sister papers to review safety protocols during the George Floyd protests that had broken out in Denver in the summer of 2020.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
That philosophy has informed decisions across the business, from training programs to communication protocols.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protocols
Noun
-
The federal law sets out rules and procedures for gathering foreign intelligence through electronic surveillance, physical searches, pen registers and more.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The store is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community on their tribal land and licensed under their cannabis ordinance, which sets rules and regulations consistent with Minnesota laws, according the tribe.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After the team shared results with state officials, DTSC committed to perform soil testing at 100 homes that had their work done early in the process, before procedures underwent an overhaul.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Even the name is a misnomer, Mackey said, since the same pain can arise among women who’ve had other procedures, including lumpectomies and lymph node surgeries.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pigment analysis with Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) identified the painting techniques and the chromatic palette, highlighting the use of cinnabar, as per the study.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Other speakers will focus on the importance of dark skies, impacts on wildlife from light pollution, and lighting techniques to preserve the night sky.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
With both courtesies and catastrophes refusing to conform, the canton’s school board, publishers, and clergy were forced to produce multiple editions of primers, textbooks, and catechisms; sometimes five parallel print runs were needed for a population the size of a town.—
Simon Akam,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Governor's office applies pressure The governor's office has accused Dallas of violating a cooperation agreement and is threatening to withhold millions in state funding unless the city changes its policies.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Proponents of the administration's policies, such as Brandy Perez Carbaugh, former research associate at the Border Security and Immigration Center of the Heritage Foundation, said the backlog highlights a need for more scrutiny in reviewing applications.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Spray dry toilet paper with cleansing, soothing and refreshing Pristine to create an instant wet wipe that is actually flushable and safe for your sewer and septic systems.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Beijing is delivering new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks and is working to route the shipments through third countries to mask their true origin, according to CNN.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protocols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protocols. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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