Quick answer
Protest is to object, publicly or strongly — protest against the cuts, a protest march. Protect is to keep safe from harm — protect the data. One letter apart; the first declares, the second shields.
The core difference
- protest — verb: to object or express disapproval; to declare firmly. They protested outside parliament, he protested his innocence. Noun: an act of objection. A peaceful protest, under protest.
- protect — verb: to keep from harm, damage or loss. Protect the environment, password-protected, protect your skin.
The tell
Inside protest is test — as in testify and testament, to declare. Inside protect is the idea of a cover: protection, protective, protector. Stress marks the noun: a PRO-test is the event; to pro-TEST is the act. Protect is always pro-TECT.
In use
- protest — Thousands protested against the cuts. He protested his innocence to the end.
- protect — Sunscreen protects the skin. The files are password-protected.
Common slips
- a peaceful protect → a peaceful protest
- protest your password → protect your password
Test is to testify; protection covers.
Where the words come from
Protest is from Latin protestari, "to declare publicly" — pro- "forth" plus testari "to bear witness", from testis, a witness. Protect is from Latin protegere, "to cover in front" — pro- plus tegere "to cover", the root of toga and of detect, to uncover.
Frequently asked questions
What does "protest his innocence" mean?
To declare it firmly. This is the older sense of protest — to affirm publicly — not to object.
How is protest pronounced?
PRO-test for the noun (a protest), pro-TEST for the verb (to protest). Many speakers now stress the verb on the first syllable too.
What is the noun from protect?
Protection. The noun from protest is protest itself, or protestation for a formal declaration.
