Protectionists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals or entities that promote strategies to safeguard local economies by imposing barriers against foreign trade and competition
2. People or organizations that defend economic practices designed to preserve domestic markets by limiting imports and enhancing local production
3. Supporters of policies that restrict international trade to shield home industries from outside competitors

Etymology: "Protectionists" is the plural of "protectionist," formed from "protection" and the suffix "-ist," which marks a person who supports a doctrine or system. The root verb "protect" comes from Latin "protegere," literally "to cover in front," combining "pro-" (forward) with "tegere" (to cover). The same Latin root sits behind "detect," from "detegere," "to uncover." A protector and a detective therefore share a family tree built on covering and uncovering, though the two English words have moved in very different directions.

Synonyms: advocates, defenders

Antonyms: free traders