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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of protocols
Under protocols established to monitor their health and protect the community, a quarantine order is in place.
—
Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
Radio controllers now have real-time video access to see what’s happening inside transit vehicles and new protocols for prioritizing calls for help from buses.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Customer service protocols also changed so that phone calls to the Social Security Administration were routed to field offices the callers hadn’t dialed, where staff couldn’t help them.
—Katie Savin, Fortune, 2 June 2026
The women must navigate the squad’s strict protocols while grappling with injuries and mental health challenges, among other stressors.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 2 June 2026
Now, under protocols implemented this year, neither toddlers nor anyone else can get that close.
—Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
These measures grant users the right to sue for damages when safety protocols are violated.
—Hansa Bhargava, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Customer service protocols also changed so that phone calls to the Social Security Administration were routed to field offices the callers hadn’t dialed, where staff couldn’t help them.
—Callie Freitag, The Conversation, 1 June 2026
And because new regulations require not just proof of process, but proof of product, textiles must shift their production and traceability protocols to meet that demand.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
Radio controllers now have real-time video access to see what’s happening inside transit vehicles and new protocols for prioritizing calls for help from buses.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Customer service protocols also changed so that phone calls to the Social Security Administration were routed to field offices the callers hadn’t dialed, where staff couldn’t help them.
—Katie Savin, Fortune, 2 June 2026
The women must navigate the squad’s strict protocols while grappling with injuries and mental health challenges, among other stressors.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 2 June 2026
Now, under protocols implemented this year, neither toddlers nor anyone else can get that close.
—Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
These measures grant users the right to sue for damages when safety protocols are violated.
—Hansa Bhargava, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Customer service protocols also changed so that phone calls to the Social Security Administration were routed to field offices the callers hadn’t dialed, where staff couldn’t help them.
—Callie Freitag, The Conversation, 1 June 2026
And because new regulations require not just proof of process, but proof of product, textiles must shift their production and traceability protocols to meet that demand.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protocols
Noun
-
The Lottery Commission voted Tuesday to authorize regulatory amendments that Executive Director Mark William Bracken said would set rules and regulations for iLottery games.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Supervisors have awarded grants to groups that have run afoul of state rules for charities, and some grants have lacked documentation showing they were properly spent.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk Management Program, or RMP, is the main federal program designed to prevent hazardous chemical incidents and spell out emergency procedures.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Brave, stubborn — and sassy Rylan, who has undergone many surgeries and procedures over the years, including close to 10 in the last two years, received a kidney transplant from his mom just last year.—
Talia McWright,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Activation requires the techniques of reminding, priming and reinforcing.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
However, there are various management techniques that have proven useful in avoiding the harmless but strange-looking disorder.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 May 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 policies proposed by the candidates range from eliminating key environmental laws to providing free childcare and college tuition.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
States seem confident that their policies are valid.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
There are steam rooms, color therapy systems, and ice showers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
Belarusian plants have produced important components, including microchips and other electronics, optical guidance systems, artillery munitions and heavy trucks that carry Russian ballistic missiles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protocols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protocols. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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