protect

[pruh-tekt] / prəˈtɛkt /

VERB

take care of; guard from harm

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assure care for conserve cover cushion defend insulate keep look after preserve safeguard save secure shelter shield support

STRONG

bulwark champion chaperon fend foster harbor hedge screen shade stonewall watch

WEAK

cover all bases cover up give refuge give sanctuary go to bat for keep safe ride shotgun for sentinel shotgun stand guard take under wing watch over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abandon destroy endanger give up harm hurt ignore injure lay bare let go neglect release squander uncover waste

STRONG

open

WEAK

attack

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They aren’t yet a complete solution if you want to protect your purchasing power for, say, the next 30 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

We know he feels the need to protect his reputation and defend his votes.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

Most states give buyers anywhere from a week to 30 days to transfer coverage from another vehicle, but don’t count on that window to protect a car in transit.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

A father of two daughters, Ahmed said: "My wife and I lie awake at night talking about how to protect them from systems that could reach them before we even know it is happening."

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“You can’t protect yourself from something you can’t see, Lexie.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Vocabulary lists containing protect

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Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC

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