protectionist

noun

pro·​tec·​tion·​ist prə-ˈtek-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce protectionist (audio)
: an advocate of government economic protection for domestic producers through restrictions on foreign competitors
protectionism noun
protectionist adjective

Examples of protectionist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The protectionist, imperialist age Mr. Trump seemingly romanticizes blew up when Germany and Italy sought a greater share of the world. Damien Cave, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 Trump is a protectionist; Reagan was a free trader. Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Biden’s decision to block the sale shows that even staunch allies like Japan are not immune to the swelling protectionist tide. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 3 Jan. 2025 Looking ahead, steps companies had taken to circumvent the effects of a new trade war with China, such as friend-shoring, might not be an effective hedge against future protectionist policies that install new barriers to trade with countries such as Mexico and Canada. Thomas Stackpole, Harvard Business Review, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for protectionist 

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protectionist was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near protectionist

Cite this Entry

“Protectionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protectionist. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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