1
as in wardens
a person or group that watches over someone or something
checked in with the security guard at the gate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in defensives
a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack
be on your guard against snakes in the swamp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in locks
a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation
slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in defenses
means or method of defending
the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in guides
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in defenders
someone that protects
a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from
guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blockades
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guards
Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026
For most of the night, the Jayhawks were flawless in forcing Houston’s guards into hard shots and keeping star freshman Kingston Flemings from getting into the paint or hitting his patented pull-up jumper.
—Cj Moore, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Traditional incarceration has dramatically failed not only our communities and public safety, but also inmates and guards.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Other guards have weathered this rugged coaching and emerged for the better — most notably Ayo Dosunmu, who was benched early and often in his second season with the Bulls before developing into an elite two-way shooting guard over the last two years.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
One of the main debates regarding the roster was whether other guards, including Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, should’ve made the team over Brunson.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The four propellers are encased in lightweight propeller guards for safer flights when tracking you, which is incredibly useful.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 23 Feb. 2026
And the game pits two of the county’s best guards in junior Harmony Golightly of Mater Dei and Texas signee Amalia Holguin of Sage Hill.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
The Dolphins have three viable starting offensive linemen — Patrick Paul, Aaron Brewer and Austin Jackson — under contract, and that doesn’t include Jonah Savaiinaea, who was one of the worst starting offensive guards in the NFL last season.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Stephanie A, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
Those guards lineups and rotations can only beat tanking teams and not all the time.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
In a game where guards Kaden Gumbs and Mark Drone had inefficient shooting nights, Emmou’s offensive punch proved invaluable.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
James and Reaves funneled in seven points apiece, while Doncic heated up with a 3-pointer over Clippers guards Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller on a double-team attempt, an alley-oop pass to Jaxson Hayes, and a step-back 3-pointer to cap a three-possession clinic.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
Junior guards Jeffery Hillmer and Juan Madrigal scored 29 and 26 points, respectively, for AU.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
The other two are occupied by undrafted rookie guards Curtis Jones and Tamar Bates.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Rookie guards Max Shulga and John Tonje, the latter acquired from Utah in the Boucher trade, are Boston’s other two-way players.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
The Wizards traded for the 32-year-old Davis on Wednesday, sending four players and five draft picks to the Dallas Mavericks for Davis and guards D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy and Danté Exum.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
Especially after reinserting Skyy Clark into a starting lineup, which, barring injuries, will feature three guards – including Dent and sophomore Trent Perry – the rest of the season.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026
For most of the night, the Jayhawks were flawless in forcing Houston’s guards into hard shots and keeping star freshman Kingston Flemings from getting into the paint or hitting his patented pull-up jumper.
—Cj Moore, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Traditional incarceration has dramatically failed not only our communities and public safety, but also inmates and guards.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Other guards have weathered this rugged coaching and emerged for the better — most notably Ayo Dosunmu, who was benched early and often in his second season with the Bulls before developing into an elite two-way shooting guard over the last two years.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
One of the main debates regarding the roster was whether other guards, including Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, should’ve made the team over Brunson.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The four propellers are encased in lightweight propeller guards for safer flights when tracking you, which is incredibly useful.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 23 Feb. 2026
And the game pits two of the county’s best guards in junior Harmony Golightly of Mater Dei and Texas signee Amalia Holguin of Sage Hill.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
The Dolphins have three viable starting offensive linemen — Patrick Paul, Aaron Brewer and Austin Jackson — under contract, and that doesn’t include Jonah Savaiinaea, who was one of the worst starting offensive guards in the NFL last season.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
The First Amendment guards the right to express unpopular views.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
Those guards lineups and rotations can only beat tanking teams and not all the time.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
In a game where guards Kaden Gumbs and Mark Drone had inefficient shooting nights, Emmou’s offensive punch proved invaluable.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
James and Reaves funneled in seven points apiece, while Doncic heated up with a 3-pointer over Clippers guards Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller on a double-team attempt, an alley-oop pass to Jaxson Hayes, and a step-back 3-pointer to cap a three-possession clinic.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
Junior guards Jeffery Hillmer and Juan Madrigal scored 29 and 26 points, respectively, for AU.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
The other two are occupied by undrafted rookie guards Curtis Jones and Tamar Bates.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Rookie guards Max Shulga and John Tonje, the latter acquired from Utah in the Boucher trade, are Boston’s other two-way players.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
The Wizards traded for the 32-year-old Davis on Wednesday, sending four players and five draft picks to the Dallas Mavericks for Davis and guards D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy and Danté Exum.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
-
According to wardens, a team of trackers spotted the twins on Saturday, with monitoring and protection measures in force to increase their chances of survival.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Forest wardens walk into Kyebi Forest Reserve in the East Akim Municipal district in Ghana.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There remains a rotation underway – financials over tech , value over growth , defensives over high-beta stocks – simply not enough to hold the indexes harmless.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Dishant, my Indian hair stylist, expertly maneuvered his round brush through my heavy locks, coiffing them to perfection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Bushey’s hostile behavior following his sister’s arrival caused Laurie and her mother to take several safety measures out of fear, such as removing knives from the home, changing the locks, and finally pursuing a restraining order against Bushey and taking steps to evict him, Pirrello said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Criminal defenses that meet the legal threshold to argue an alternative perpetrator was responsible are extremely uncommon in the state, legal experts told the Statesman.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Ukraine’s frontline defenses have held up – but only just.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The other three victims were hired guides who led the expedition.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The victims, including three guides, were found fairly close together, Greene said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are 45 edge defenders who are set to become unrestricted free agents in March, per spotrac.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
-
JSerra inbounded the ball, six JSerra players went into the frontcourt against five Inglewood defenders.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That further protects mule deer as well as possibly protecting people.—
Ted Williams,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Discrimination is outlawed under South Africa's constitution, which also protects property rights and due process.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Road blockades, traffic slowdowns and other protests were widespread – from the southern port city of Marseille to Lille and Caen in the north, and from Nantes and Rennes in the west to Grenoble and Lyon in the southeast.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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