What term describes a state that is controlled and protected by a more powerful nation?

The term that describes a state controlled and protected by a more powerful nation is "protectorate." In this context, a protectorate is a political entity that has some degree of autonomy but is ultimately under the protection and control of a stronger country, which influences its foreign policy and defense matters. The more powerful nation steps in to ensure stability, often to further its own interests or to prevent other countries from gaining influence in that region.

In contrast, a colonial state typically refers to a territory fully governed and settled by a colonizing power, with little to no semblance of local autonomy. A mandate relates specifically to arrangements following World War I, where the League of Nations granted authority over territories that were once held by defeated powers, but with an obligation to prepare those territories for self-governance. Lastly, a dependency implies a relationship where one state relies on another for economic support or governance but may not fit the specific legal and political framework of a protectorate. Thus, protectorate most accurately encapsulates the scenario of a state controlled and protected by a more powerful nation.