guard against
phrasal verb
guarded against; guarding against; guards against
: to try to keep (something) from happening
Clean the wound to guard against infection.
That's the sort of thinking we have to guard against.
Examples of guard against in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, almost guarding against a hangover for the first game after a long road trip, the Wild will uncharacteristically not hold a morning skate Saturday.
—
Michael Russo, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
County officials argue the administration lacked the authority to claw back money appropriated by Congress, and that lawmakers intended the grants to strengthen long-term public health infrastructure and guard against future outbreaks, not expire when the COVID-19 emergency ended.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
Each doorway includes both a full mesh panel and a waterproof outer door, allowing campers to enjoy al fresco lounging when the weather and local fauna cooperate, mesh the open doorway over to keep out swarming pests, or close them up completely to guard against threatening weather.
—New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025
To guard against unexpectedly large increases, some people pay a little extra every month into their escrow accounts.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guard against
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Michael Russo, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
County officials argue the administration lacked the authority to claw back money appropriated by Congress, and that lawmakers intended the grants to strengthen long-term public health infrastructure and guard against future outbreaks, not expire when the COVID-19 emergency ended.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
Each doorway includes both a full mesh panel and a waterproof outer door, allowing campers to enjoy al fresco lounging when the weather and local fauna cooperate, mesh the open doorway over to keep out swarming pests, or close them up completely to guard against threatening weather.
—New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025
To guard against unexpectedly large increases, some people pay a little extra every month into their escrow accounts.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guard against
Cite this Entry
“Guard against.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guard%20against. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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