guard 1 of 2

noun

ˈgärd How to pronounce guard (audio)
Definition of guardnext
1
as in guardian
a person or group that watches over someone or something checked in with the security guard at the gate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in defensive
a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack be on your guard against snakes in the swamp

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lock
a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain

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4
as in defense
means or method of defending the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in guide
one that accompanies another for protection, guidance, or as a courtesy the honor guards raised their sabers as the happy couple descended the church steps

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6
as in defender
someone that protects a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

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guard

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to blockade
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point a fire-breathing dragon guarded the entrance to the castle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word guard different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of guard are defend, protect, safeguard, and shield. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

In what contexts can defend take the place of guard?

The words defend and guard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When can protect be used instead of guard?

While the synonyms protect and guard are close in meaning, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

Where would safeguard be a reasonable alternative to guard?

In some situations, the words safeguard and guard are roughly equivalent. However, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

When is shield a more appropriate choice than guard?

The words shield and guard can be used in similar contexts, but shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of guard
Noun
In a midseason rookie report, Gray discusses her development as a shooting guard after being drafted out of Ohio State in the second round of the 2026 WNBA draft to be an outside shooter. — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 5 July 2026 Police with assault rifles stood guard on surrounding streets. — Nasser Karimi, Arkansas Online, 5 July 2026
Verb
During a simple backcourt advancement in the first quarter, Boozer stole the ball off Wilson while guarding him one-on-one and took it back for a dunk. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026 As many as 200 law enforcement officers guarded Madison Square Garden, costing between $120,000 and $160,000. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guard
  1. guardian
  2. defensive
  3. lock
  4. defense
  5. guide
  6. defender
  7. protect
  8. blockade
Noun
  • All of these titles were chosen based on parental and guardians’ reports of the subjects’ favorite programs.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
  • The family had been living on Shikoku island in Japan – a country where, until a law change this April, only one parent could be considered a child’s legal guardian after divorce.
    — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • The campaign for the measure would be expected to capitalize on the voter enthusiasm gap that so far this year favors Democrats, who typically are more supportive of tax increases, while Republicans are on the defensive.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2026
  • Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was in San Francisco when the 49ers tried to develop a record-setting British discus thrower into an NFL defensive tackle.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of defensive
Noun
  • Revolutionaries Never Die was awarded the top prize for best project in post-production at the 2025 Cairo Film Connection and was presented at picture lock at the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra 2026.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 9 July 2026
  • In one rare path, where a lock operation hits a dead end and has to back out, the cleanup runs at the wrong moment and wipes the wrong task’s record.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026
Definition of lock
Noun
  • Every child deserves security, dignity, and a community that stands fiercely in their defense.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • It is expected to back new air-defense commitments for Ukraine, which is still suffering under Russian attacks even as battlefield momentum shifts in Kyiv’s favor.
    — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of defense
Noun
  • Vogue Business speaks to a host of industry insiders and career guides on how to be the one who secures it.
    — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 15 July 2026
  • Other excursions, such as walking tours with knowledgeable local guides and active pursuits like kayaking and snorkeling, are also available—though many guests simply wandered on their own or borrowed snorkeling gear from the ship.
    — Jane Wooldridge, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026
Definition of guide
Noun
  • Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup chipped the ball toward the goal from the left side, and Haaland leaped, swung his neck and headed it into the net, outjumping Brazil’s 6-foot-3 defender Gabriel Magalhães, his Premier League nemesis.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
  • Before Mbappe scored his penalty, Gustavo Velazquez, the Paraguayan defender, scuffed the penalty spot, another underhanded attempt to disturb the tournament favourites.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of defender
Verb
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • There aren’t enough ships to protect the reopening trade routes from pirates.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of protect
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Lord Corlys Velaryon and his fleet have the city blockaded, while Team Black commands from Dragonstone and Daemon battles in the Riverlands and Aemond broods on the throne, which he’s taken from his maimed brother.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for the region’s oil and gas, was effectively blockaded since the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran in late February.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 June 2026
Definition of blockade

Phrases Containing guard

Browse Nearby Words

guarantying
guard
guard (against)
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Cite this Entry

“Guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guard. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on guard

Nglish: Translation of guard for Spanish Speakers

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