1
as in etiquette
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 procedure
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 protocol
Although there will be a couple of weeks of sports competitions to come, none are possible without an opening ceremony, a combination of solemn official protocol with a fantastic representation of the host country’s culture and character, evoking the Olympic spirit itself.
—
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
But district leaders said a recent increase in protests — particularly those that moved off campus — prompted the need for clearer, more detailed protocols.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Sherwood herself is not urgently concerned about ICE impacting her center and wanted parents to know her site already has strict security protocols in place for any emergency and wouldn’t let an ICE agent in without a judicial warrant.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 6 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
See All Example Sentences for protocol
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
But district leaders said a recent increase in protests — particularly those that moved off campus — prompted the need for clearer, more detailed protocols.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Sherwood herself is not urgently concerned about ICE impacting her center and wanted parents to know her site already has strict security protocols in place for any emergency and wouldn’t let an ICE agent in without a judicial warrant.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 6 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
See All Example Sentences for protocol
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protocol
Noun
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One is sheer ignorance of this etiquette rule.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
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That includes basic phone etiquette, writing, professional dress, and openness to feedback.—
Wilborn P. Nobles III,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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My cousin, an emergency room physician, performed procedures by the light of an iPhone.—
Lara N. Dotson-Renta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There are rules about a team winning too often, and the Hawks have picked in the top three for three straight years.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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But talking about identity has ever-shifting rules and hierarchies that amount to bear-traps that can spring at any time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Across five courses, each cocktail is a Negroni variation transformed through techniques such as evaporation, infusion, and reconstruction.—
Melinda Joe,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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Freestyle skiing adds dual moguls Freestyle skiing is bringing in dual moguls for women and men — basically the same sort of judging based on technique, flips and twists, plus speed, as the existing moguls event, but with two athletes going down the hill in adjacent lanes.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Californians know a single strong storm can improve the state’s snowpack and back-to-back systems could wipe out deficits.—
Monica Garske,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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Otherwise, the law is made a mockery and those who followed the law to become citizens will rightfully be angry about a system that treats law-abiders and law-breakers the same.—
Cal Thomas,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Wayne Township also offers a three-year apprenticeship program, and administrators are pursuing virtual work opportunities for students for whom transportation could be a barrier.—
Carley Lanich,
IndyStar,
10 Feb. 2026
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One significant difference in the House bill is a provision that would overhaul the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, a major housing program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Our allies have abandoned us, and foreign leaders are moving on with trade policies and business deals without us.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
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Semmann said stores raise prices primarily in response to supply chain issues, such as poor harvests, changes to international trade policy or increasing logistical costs.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Jim's stock market commentary , market analysis , stock pick breakdowns , and Club Members' Mailbag offer an MBA-caliber finance education that is easy to absorb and apply to your personal investing strategies.—
,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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Now, platforms like ReelShort and DramaBox are testing out a similar strategy but leaning into low-budget, soapy series, instead.—
Lauren Wilson,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protocol.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protocol. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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