1
as in rules
an accepted way of conducting oneself in a given situation
Their behavior was considered a breach of diplomatic protocol.
Related Words
Relevance
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.
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 back-to-back resignations and investigations, spanning both parties and both the legislative and executive branches, have reignited a debate about whether Washington’s rules and institutions for self-oversight can keep pace with the misconduct unfolding within it.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Confirm whether the rules apply to all classes of e-bikes as some areas also have stricter laws for the faster (class 3) e-bikes.—
Dr. Phyllis Agran,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dozens of major health insurers, including Cigna, Aetna and United Healthcare, last year pledged to make fewer medical procedures require pre-authorization and to speed up the review process.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Walker, however, agreed with the majority that the president cannot deport migrants to countries where they will be persecuted or strip them of mandatory procedures that protect against their removal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Restaurant offers refined dining where regional flavors meet international techniques; think Galápagos lobster, locally caught tuna, and produce grown on nearby islands.—
David Morris,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Watch the video above to see the kids learn new training techniques and apply them with their pets!—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
Now is an opportunity to assess the impact of new policies on the pace and tenor of change, influencing the future of the financial technology landscape.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
As the City has begun making changes to meet the Governor's expectations that its policies require full cooperation with DHS, the Public Safety Office has extended the deadline for complying with the certification and will continue to engage with the City.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the Moon moves through your 6th House of Daily Routine, small systems restore energy and reduce friction.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Most align with the profiles the franchise looks for in its various systems.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protocols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protocols. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
