Overrun
Overrun verb - To enter for conquest or plunder.
Usage example: waves of barbarians overran the Roman Empire during its long decline
Protect
Protect verb - To drive danger or attack away from.
Usage example: the mother bear was just trying to protect her cubs
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- It is specifically meant to protect your ships from being overrun by waves of enemy particles.
Source: Video Game / Creeper World -
During this period of time they must protect the school from being overrun by monsters called shadows.
Source: Roleplay / Heartfelt - Syrio Forel bests a bunch of Lannister soldiers to protect Arya but he isn't armed with a real sword and is soon overrun.
Cite this Source
Protect and Overrun. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/overrun/protect
Overrun & Protect. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/overrun/protect>.
Protect or Overrun. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/overrun/protect.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "overrun" and "protect" have occurred on timeline