Thesaurus results for PROTECTORATES

protectorates

noun

plural of protectorate

as in territories

a small country that is controlled and protected by a larger one

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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 protectorates This misunderstands the nature of modern protectorates, such as Palau or the Marshall Islands. — Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026 With very few exceptions, an end was declared, not only to empires, but also to city-states, duchies, principalities, emirates, sultanates, caliphates, khanates, agencies, princely states, colonies, suzerains, dependencies, mandates, tributaries, condominia and protectorates. — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 The British went on to claim regions of the coast and declare them as protectorates. — Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026 During the 1830s attempts were made to safeguard Aboriginal peoples by placing them under supervision in protectorates, but these attempts failed and were abandoned after the coming of self-government in the 1850s. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for protectorates

Noun

Sony Pictures, which recently acquired the film for several international territories, including Germany, Latin America and South Korea, has yet to announce its release plans.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
The territories at various times have been part of the Russian and Ottoman empires, medieval Kievan Rus’ and earlier civilizations.

— Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of territories

Noun

The Panthers punted on each of their first four drives, failing to pick up a first down on any of those possessions, as Miami jumped out to a 17-0 lead.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Marcel Reed threw picks on Texas A&M's first two possessions and later lost a fumble, continuing a trend of committing too many turnovers in league games.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of possessions

Noun

If the underlying environment has unclear ownership, fragmented access controls or unknown dependencies, additional technological capability may simply increase existing complexity.

— Chandini Sheeba, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
That distinction shows both the opportunity for American technology and the limits imposed by remaining dependencies.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of dependencies

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“Protectorates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protectorates. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of protectorates

noun

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