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protected

protected

1 2.0
Kept safe from harm or danger
  • adjective
  • /prəˈtɛktɪd/
: protegido
  • The endangered species is now protected by strict conservation laws.
  • Protected Areas
  • Protected Area

They feel safe and protected and even strong.

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Examples

  • THE LAW SAYS THIS PARK IS NOW A PROTECTED NATURE PRESERVE.

  • Only Venice held out, protected by its lagoons.

  • When we feel protected, we take more risks.

  • They feel safe and protected and even strong.

  • And life is inherently good and needs to be protected, preserved and spread.

  • She felt protected in her home, safe from the storm outside.

  • The child played in the protected area, where wildlife is safe from hunters.

Synonyms

safe
vsprotected
∞ 1.0

Not likely to be harmed or in danger

is about being kept from harm by active guarding
immune
vsprotected
  • Formal
41 4.2

Not subject to a law or rule because of a special position

concerns safety from harm or danger rather than exemption from rules
sheltered
vsprotected
1 3.2

Protected from wind, rain, or danger by something that covers it

focuses on being kept from many kinds of threat or loss
shielded
vsprotected
  • Specialized
4.4

Covered by a case or layer to protect it from damage

applies more broadly to guarding against many kinds of danger
saved
vsprotected
1.0

A person or thing kept safe from harm

describes the general state of being kept safe rather than the rescue act
sheathed
vsprotected
5.8

Covered by a protective layer or case

is about guarding against threats beyond just physical encasing
buffered
vsprotected
4.4

Protected from sudden change and harm by a barrier or cushion

means wider guarding against various dangers, not only sudden shocks

Antonyms

581 4.0

At risk of being harmed, attacked or influenced

28 2.9

Not safe from harm

1 3.4

Not protected from danger or bad weather

Compounds

1 5.8

A democracy where strong courts and laws protect people's rights and stop attempts to take power

How Protected

invulnerable
22 7.7
secure
318 3.2
protected
1 2.0
vulnerable
581 4.0
exposed
1 3.4

Surface Forms

protected positive

Morphology

protected = protect (transparent) = protect + ed

A regular past-participial/adjectival formation from the verb 'protect'; the meaning 'kept safe' follows directly from the verb plus '-ed'.

Etymology

Protected comes from Latin parts pro- ('before') and tegere ('to cover'), so it originally meant being 'covered in front' like a shield; a helpful image is someone standing in front of you to keep you safe. That's why something protected is kept safe from harm.