1
as in rules
an accepted way of conducting oneself in a given situation
Their behavior was considered a breach of diplomatic protocol.
Related Words
Relevance
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.
Related Words
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 protocols
The Washington Post analyzed the elements listed in the men’s and women’s free skate protocols from each Olympics from 2006 to 2022.
—
Robert Samuels, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Travelers should ensure dive operators carry oxygen and have emergency protocols.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Paxton separately demanded that Austin ISD turn over records related to attendance, absences, security protocols and internal communications, accusing the district of facilitating the demonstrations.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Three members of the State Board of Education are expressing their concerns about recent student ICE walkouts and suggesting that school funding be tied to compliance with safety and security protocols.
—Giles Hudson, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The governor’s second bill, House Bill 5037, focuses on the online safety of minors, calling for companies to establish online safety protocols and default settings that would keep minors from harmful information and interactions.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
The family followed all proper protocols, including attending every required hearing, immigration attorney Bobby Painter said.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Sports already take severe head impacts and concussions seriously, with protocols to remove players after collisions.
—semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Beijing in 2022 was another soulless COVID Games, marked more by frequent testing and isolation protocols than victories on the field.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 6 Feb. 2026
Robert Samuels, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Travelers should ensure dive operators carry oxygen and have emergency protocols.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Paxton separately demanded that Austin ISD turn over records related to attendance, absences, security protocols and internal communications, accusing the district of facilitating the demonstrations.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Three members of the State Board of Education are expressing their concerns about recent student ICE walkouts and suggesting that school funding be tied to compliance with safety and security protocols.
—Giles Hudson, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The governor’s second bill, House Bill 5037, focuses on the online safety of minors, calling for companies to establish online safety protocols and default settings that would keep minors from harmful information and interactions.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
The family followed all proper protocols, including attending every required hearing, immigration attorney Bobby Painter said.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Sports already take severe head impacts and concussions seriously, with protocols to remove players after collisions.
—semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Beijing in 2022 was another soulless COVID Games, marked more by frequent testing and isolation protocols than victories on the field.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protocols
Noun
-
Heat strengthens pure metals Standard metallurgical rules dictate that heat eases atomic movement, rendering metals more pliable and simpler to reshape under normal conditions.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Employers then automatically increase your contributions by 1% of your paya year until the contributions reach between 8% and 10%, depending on state rules.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Satisfied with medical procedures already in place, NASA ordered no extra checkups for the crew ahead of liftoff and no new diagnostic equipment was packed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Permits cannot be denied because the event is controversial, filing procedures weren't followed in time before a breaking news event or the application fee was too high.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Campers will explore different book formats and basic paper-engineering techniques while designing and illustrating their own original projects inspired by stories and shared reading.—
Susan Soldavin,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the cinematic techniques, Manuel values the personal insights gained from the extended mentorship.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Leonora measures out her days in courtesies and slights, the former dominating the beginning of the book, the latter rapidly gaining ground.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And federal policies that take away that basic freedom have no place in this country.—
Josh M. Shepherd,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Congress faces a deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security, with the impasse centered on immigration enforcement policies.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Winter weather alerts are in effect across parts of California, Nevada and Oregon ahead of two systems expected in the coming days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In contrast to task-specific systems like Isaac 0, companies such as Figure AI have developed general-purpose humanoids, such as the Figure 02, designed to handle a wide range of industrial and household tasks rather than specializing in a single task.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protocols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protocols. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
