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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Recent Examples of protocols
Having animals in quarantine does add a lot of extra time for very careful personal protective equipment and being very strict with our protocols to make sure that everything is under wraps and safe for everyone, all the animals and people involved, from the veterinary team.
—
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
As a result of these and other dangerous and destructive outbreaks the Navy implemented strict protocols to maintain readiness.
—Arthur Caplan, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Labonte said Connecticut has strict policies and protocols in place to ensure chronic wasting disease is not brought into the state’s borders.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles will convene a meeting early this week with senior administration officials, the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security to assess protocols for major presidential events.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
When Saudi Arabia decided to close the border for six weeks due to COVID safety protocols, crucial equipment got stuck outside the country.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Immediately after the shooting, questions began to swirl over allegedly lax protocols that allowed Allen to get close to the event.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles plans to meet this week with leaders of the Secret Service and Homeland Security to discuss safety protocols, the White House confirmed Monday.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Questions now surround the security protocols.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
As a result of these and other dangerous and destructive outbreaks the Navy implemented strict protocols to maintain readiness.
—Arthur Caplan, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Labonte said Connecticut has strict policies and protocols in place to ensure chronic wasting disease is not brought into the state’s borders.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles will convene a meeting early this week with senior administration officials, the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security to assess protocols for major presidential events.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
When Saudi Arabia decided to close the border for six weeks due to COVID safety protocols, crucial equipment got stuck outside the country.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Immediately after the shooting, questions began to swirl over allegedly lax protocols that allowed Allen to get close to the event.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles plans to meet this week with leaders of the Secret Service and Homeland Security to discuss safety protocols, the White House confirmed Monday.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Questions now surround the security protocols.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protocols
Noun
-
The vast majority are honorable and conform their actions to the rules.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Portofino, on Italy's other coast, added new rules to manage the behavior of those already there.—
Seth Doane,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Noun
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General Counsel Karen Buffkin read a resolution that authorized the hiring of outside professionals to conduct a review of the system’s procedures for handling complaints and violations of policies.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
-
These and a whole suite of other facially race-neutral changes to voting procedures could be used in southern states to hamper Black representation.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Known for combining antique techniques like Georgian cut-down settings, McCormack’s approach to design is decidedly relaxed and modern while still focusing on craftsmanship — the Mayfair location has an in-house workshop.—
Diana Tsui,
Footwear News,
3 May 2026
-
According to Parsons, more common techniques used by federal agencies include taking control of a drone to bring it down safely or deploying another drone to capture the unauthorized aircraft with a tethered net.—
Taylor Galgano,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
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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
-
In Los Angeles, past demonstrations have drawn hundreds of thousands of people who voiced their support for immigrant workers amid controversial enforcement policies.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Trump highlighted a variety of policies geared toward older Americans, including Medicare coverage for weight-loss drugs that will start July 1.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
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This year's exercise involves more than 5,000 personnel from over 40 nations, with a growing focus on advanced technologies, including drones, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence.—
Duarte Dias,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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In turn, this could enable higher power conversion efficiencies and more reproducible device performance across different material systems.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protocols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protocols. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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