Protect — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /prə-ˈtekt/ pro·tect

Meaning & Definition of Protect

Protect (verb)

  1. to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction, guard
  2. defend
  3. to maintain the status or integrity of especially through financial or legal guarantees

Protect (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to drive danger or attack away from

    "the mother bear was just trying to protect her cubs"

    similar: bulwark, cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward, stand up for
    related: avert, prevent, oppose, resist, withstand, battle, contend, fight, war, conserve, preserve, save, buffer, palisade, picket, wall
    opposite: assail, assault, attack
    near: bombard, storm, beset, besiege, overrun, capitulate, cave, submit, yield

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Protect

The most common words with a similar meaning to Protect:

bulwark, cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward, stand up for

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Protect

Words with the opposite meaning of Protect:

assail, assault, attack

Related Words for Protect

avert, prevent, oppose, resist, withstand, battle, contend, fight, war, conserve, preserve, save, buffer, palisade, picket, wall

Near Antonyms of Protect

bombard, storm, beset, besiege, overrun, capitulate, cave, submit, yield

Word Forms of Protect

Inflections: protected, protecting, protects

Derived words: protectable (adjective), protective (adjective), protectively (adverb), protectiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Protect

Middle English, from Latin protectus, past participle of protegere, from pro- in front + tegere to cover pro-, thatch

First known use: 15th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Protect

Words & Phrases Containing Protect

protect one's ass

Frequently Asked Questions about Protect

What does "Protect" mean?

"Protect" means to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction, guard. As a verb, it is defined as: to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction, guard.

What is another word for "Protect"?

Other words for "Protect" include bulwark, cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard and keep. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Protect" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Protect"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Protect". Common alternatives include bulwark, cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, safeguard and screen.

What is the opposite of "Protect"?

Antonyms of "Protect" include assail, assault and attack. Near antonyms include bombard, storm, beset and besiege.

How do you use "Protect" in a sentence?

Examples of "Protect" in a sentence: "the mother bear was just trying to protect her cubs".

Is "Protect" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Protect" is a verb.

Is "Protect" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Protect" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Protect"?

"Protect" is pronounced /prə-ˈtekt/ and divided into syllables as pro·tect.