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
Derek Lawrence, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026
And maybe one of our guards would raise his hand.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
Notre Dame has produced some outstanding high school guards in the past five years, from Dusty Stromer to Mercy Miller to Angelino Mark, who’s a freshman at Rutgers and showed up Monday night to root for his former teammates.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The Cavs have already made a trade this season, acquiring guards Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder from the Sacramento Kings over the weekend.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The petition, which was granted by a federal judge, cites reports alleging that guards at the facility choked and asphyxiated Campos.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
The signing of Seymore should finish the roster rebuild of an offensive line that lost starting guards Cole Hutson and DJ Campbell to the NFL.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Trevor protests the corridors ahead are filled with guards, motion sensors, and biometric security—but Simon has figured another way out.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
The guards gave her a piece of bread to dance for them.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Last summer’s political violence — and a subsequent break-in at the Capitol by a nude intruder who guards found sitting in the Senate President’s Chair — increased political pressure to harden security.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Celts guards Nickon Daei and Malakai Perrantes each added a trio of 3s in the first half alone.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026
Senior guards Gabe Sanders and Frankie Pavlik added 10 and nine points, respectively, for the Foxes (10-9, 7-3).
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
New Orleans is a city that guards its character carefully, and so a new five-story hotel features many links to the city’s history.
—Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Georgia guards Blue Cain and Millender were crucial down the stretch, hitting shots and adding to UGA’s swarming defense that caused late Mizzou turnovers.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
The development of Evans gives Cleveland another offensive weapon to go with 6-8 center Sergine Deme and guards TJ Wansa and Charlie Adams.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Even India, which zealously guards its sovereignty, has moderated its Russian oil imports in response to Washington's demands.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
Egg rushes to retrieve Dunk, who finds Aerion and his men destroying the puppet show, with Aerion even breaking Tanselle’s fingers, causing Dunk to snap and start beating on the prince before the guards are able to restrain him.
—Derek Lawrence, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026
And maybe one of our guards would raise his hand.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
Notre Dame has produced some outstanding high school guards in the past five years, from Dusty Stromer to Mercy Miller to Angelino Mark, who’s a freshman at Rutgers and showed up Monday night to root for his former teammates.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The Cavs have already made a trade this season, acquiring guards Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder from the Sacramento Kings over the weekend.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The petition, which was granted by a federal judge, cites reports alleging that guards at the facility choked and asphyxiated Campos.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
The signing of Seymore should finish the roster rebuild of an offensive line that lost starting guards Cole Hutson and DJ Campbell to the NFL.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Trevor protests the corridors ahead are filled with guards, motion sensors, and biometric security—but Simon has figured another way out.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
The guards gave her a piece of bread to dance for them.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
But her mother guards her fiercely, because even the most minor imbalance in her small, cloistered world could bring the seizures back again.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Last summer’s political violence — and a subsequent break-in at the Capitol by a nude intruder who guards found sitting in the Senate President’s Chair — increased political pressure to harden security.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Celts guards Nickon Daei and Malakai Perrantes each added a trio of 3s in the first half alone.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026
Senior guards Gabe Sanders and Frankie Pavlik added 10 and nine points, respectively, for the Foxes (10-9, 7-3).
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
New Orleans is a city that guards its character carefully, and so a new five-story hotel features many links to the city’s history.
—Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Georgia guards Blue Cain and Millender were crucial down the stretch, hitting shots and adding to UGA’s swarming defense that caused late Mizzou turnovers.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
The development of Evans gives Cleveland another offensive weapon to go with 6-8 center Sergine Deme and guards TJ Wansa and Charlie Adams.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Even India, which zealously guards its sovereignty, has moderated its Russian oil imports in response to Washington's demands.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 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
-
In November, Princess Kate revealed the reason behind her lighter hair hue at the Royal Variety Performance in London, when actress Su Pollard asked about what caused her lighter locks.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Diaz, who was spotted filming in New Jersey on Wednesday, October 1, appears to have made the chop in September, when she was first photographed with noticeably shorter locks.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense said its air defenses destroyed 75 Ukrainian drones overnight.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Seattle primarily aligns the 6-foot, 198-pounder out wide, though Smith-Njigba will also see time in the slot and even a couple snaps in the backfield to stress defenses.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Over the coming years, a team of 57 scientists and local guides explored all the major rivers and tributaries of the Okavango Delta, traversing this vast landscape in dugout canoes, on motorbikes, on foot, and in armored vehicles.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Its content features topics on skiing, snowboarding, mountains, ski resorts, travel guides, gear reviews, outdoor events, competitions or festivals and more.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Excitement for young defenders in Year 2 The Panthers’ 2025 draft class has earned rave reviews over the past several months.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The 24-year-old succeeds against all three levels of the pass defense, blocks well against defensive backs and even front-seven defenders and runs for yards off jet-motion touches, screens and downfield passes.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Grassley has argued that the practice protects checks and balances, encourages the White House to consult with senators, and prevents administrations of either party from jamming through prosecutors and judges who lack local support.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The settlement agreement protects the anonymity of the affected youth and families while securing the withdrawal of the government’s demands for their medical records — and those of their fellow patients, Silver said.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
26 Jan. 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 6 Feb. 2026.
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