"protect against" vs "protect from"

Question

"protect against" vs "protect from"

Both 'protect against' and 'protect from' are commonly used phrases in English, and they are often interchangeable. However, 'protect against' is more commonly used when referring to actions taken to prevent something harmful from happening, while 'protect from' is more commonly used when referring to shielding someone or something from harm.

Last Updated: March 24, 2024

This phrase is used when referring to actions taken to prevent something harmful from happening.

Examples:

Sunscreen helps protect against sunburn.
Vaccines can protect against certain diseases.
Wearing a helmet can protect against head injuries.
Fire alarms are designed to protect against fires.
Regular exercise can help protect against heart disease.

Alternatives:

guard against
defend against
shield against
prevent against
secure against

This phrase is used when referring to shielding someone or something from harm.

Examples:

A good umbrella can protect you from the rain.
Parents try to protect their children from danger.
The walls protected the city from invaders.
The vaccine protects you from getting sick.
The password protects your data from unauthorized access.

Alternatives:

shield from
defend from
guard from
prevent from
secure from

Answer 1

protect against

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

protect from

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"protect against" vs "protect from"

protect against

protect from

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