as in defended
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as in safeguarded
to drive danger or attack away from
the mother bear was just trying to protect her cubs
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of protected
Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
An informed voter is a protected democracy.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Officials said the outreach will also include information about changes affecting certain non-citizens, including refugees, asylees and others with protected status.
—City News Service, Daily News, 1 May 2026
The extra height makes the space feel more protected and cozy.
—Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
If your income comes primarily from protected sources like Social Security or disability benefits, a court judgment may pose little immediate threat.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
The Surgeon General's office, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are banned for 10 years from wielding legal, regulatory or economic pressure to persuade the platforms to remove protected speech.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
The Senate on Monday, March 9, passed Senate File 579, which expands the state's 2025 law eliminating gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act to local governments and imposes new constraints on local civil rights panels' powers.
—Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Sweeney did concede that the uncertainty around two of the four first-round picks (the Toronto pick this year is top-5 protected and the Florida pick next year is top-10 protected) added to the reticence to move any of them.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Ari Berman, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
The good news is that Chrome will automatically update as soon as the update reaches you, and you will be protected once the browser is restarted.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
No square on the calendar is truly protected once the NFL detects people with time off, disposable income and access to nachos.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026
The Dodgers put up three runs in the bottom of the sixth — two charged to Roupp, one to left-hander Matt Gage — the Los Angeles’ bullpen protected that advantage from there.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Edgardo Henriquez, Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott protected the three-run lead with a hitless inning each.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
This keeps salt protected from moisture while still allowing easy access.
—Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 May 2026
The mansion is protected by a conservation easement with the Missouri Preservation Society, protecting the house and a one-foot radius around it from being torn down.
—Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Taxonomy is important not only as the foundation of biology, but also because a species can’t be protected against the threat of extinction if it isn’t named.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Adjective
California consumers are suing Cento Fine Foods, alleging the company falsely labels its products as containing San Marzano tomatoes, a premium Italian variety with protected status requiring specific consortium certification.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
An informed voter is a protected democracy.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Officials said the outreach will also include information about changes affecting certain non-citizens, including refugees, asylees and others with protected status.
—City News Service, Daily News, 1 May 2026
The extra height makes the space feel more protected and cozy.
—Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
If your income comes primarily from protected sources like Social Security or disability benefits, a court judgment may pose little immediate threat.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
The Surgeon General's office, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are banned for 10 years from wielding legal, regulatory or economic pressure to persuade the platforms to remove protected speech.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
The Senate on Monday, March 9, passed Senate File 579, which expands the state's 2025 law eliminating gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act to local governments and imposes new constraints on local civil rights panels' powers.
—Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Sweeney did concede that the uncertainty around two of the four first-round picks (the Toronto pick this year is top-5 protected and the Florida pick next year is top-10 protected) added to the reticence to move any of them.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
Later eras of pluralism and multiculturalism celebrated diversity and protected the ability of communities to preserve their identities.
—Ari Berman, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
The good news is that Chrome will automatically update as soon as the update reaches you, and you will be protected once the browser is restarted.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
No square on the calendar is truly protected once the NFL detects people with time off, disposable income and access to nachos.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026
The Dodgers put up three runs in the bottom of the sixth — two charged to Roupp, one to left-hander Matt Gage — the Los Angeles’ bullpen protected that advantage from there.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Edgardo Henriquez, Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott protected the three-run lead with a hitless inning each.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
This keeps salt protected from moisture while still allowing easy access.
—Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 May 2026
The mansion is protected by a conservation easement with the Missouri Preservation Society, protecting the house and a one-foot radius around it from being torn down.
—Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Taxonomy is important not only as the foundation of biology, but also because a species can’t be protected against the threat of extinction if it isn’t named.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protected
Adjective
-
As in traditional sieges, the focus is on the vulnerable flow of supplies rather than a defended position.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
-
Some defended efforts by staff to correct the books, while others demanded answers on how the accounting error had gone unnoticed through three full audit cycles.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Asylum seekers should be protected, families must remain together, and workers should be safeguarded from exploitation.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Our elections must be safeguarded from foreign interference.—
Kevin Fixler
May 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
The ship itself is packed with detail from turrets through to tiny shielded hangars.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
Purchasing a shielded Ethernet cable means the wires are protected from electromagnetic interference, so the cables operate more efficiently.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These are institutions which are obviously very tightly guarded and there's not a lot of freedom there for the individuals inside.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
For much of the game, small forward Rae Burrell guarded Clark, who netted 24 points with nine assists.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
During negotiations to establish a plan of reorganization, unsecured creditors negotiated with secured lenders and set up a litigation trust, funded with $20 million from the retailer.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
Built in the late 1940s and renovated before Vonn’s tenure, the two-level structure clad in wood shingles washed in white paint is tucked away behind high hedges and secured gates on a quarter of an acre and offers three bedrooms and five bathrooms.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The tabletop lid comes with four drink holders, and the latch and lock closure keeps the contents secure.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
-
Proprietary research informed its unique polymer formulation, which adapts to the wearer’s body for a secure and comfortable fit that minimizes leakage.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protected. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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