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
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 guards
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Pebley believes her Latson will learn a lot from two of the craftiest guards in the game.
—John Davis, Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
First, between Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, the Heat’s top two scoring guards have missed the equivalent of almost an entire season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
At France’s prison officer academy, hundreds of men and women learn to become prison guards.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
The biggest question is whether the three star guards will be able to function together as a unit and maximize each other’s skillsets.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
Who said small guards can’t win a championship?
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
Mattei lauded Miller, who coaches the Angels’ C-team and works with the varsity guards, as a unicorn at the intersection of sports and music.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
With both guards out in the Lakers’ last game against Dallas, James shot 12 for 22 from the field, scoring 30 points with 15 assists.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
In addition to Nacua, the group includes Pro Bowl linebacker Byron Young, guards Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson, and defensive end Kobie Turner.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Dilley faces mounting scrutiny from immigration lawyers and advocates, who say children have struggled emotionally and physically in an environment where lights remain on around the clock and guards patrol.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Sophomore guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell, both sophomores, emerged as reliable college rotation players in 2025-26.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Trailing by one with under a minute to go, James burst from the low block, diving like Superman across the court for a loose ball rebound, beating Nuggets guards Christian Braun and Jamal Murray to the ball to force a tie up.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Sierra Canyon sophomore guards Jordan Mize and JJ Sati-Grier scored 11 points each, and Sati-Grier had 10 assists.
—Steve Fryer, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Jets lost linebacker Quincy Williams, guards Vera-Tucker and John Simpson and kicker Nick Folk.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Swain runs the offense, guards every position and is the one player who cannot afford to have a bad night at the office, lest the Horns will get blown out in most instances.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
Suarez will be fighting for time on a roster that is loaded with forwards and big guards.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Pebley believes her Latson will learn a lot from two of the craftiest guards in the game.
—John Davis, Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
First, between Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, the Heat’s top two scoring guards have missed the equivalent of almost an entire season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
At France’s prison officer academy, hundreds of men and women learn to become prison guards.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
The biggest question is whether the three star guards will be able to function together as a unit and maximize each other’s skillsets.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
Who said small guards can’t win a championship?
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
Mattei lauded Miller, who coaches the Angels’ C-team and works with the varsity guards, as a unicorn at the intersection of sports and music.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
With both guards out in the Lakers’ last game against Dallas, James shot 12 for 22 from the field, scoring 30 points with 15 assists.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
Then Badgers guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd, who had fueled a February upset of the Illini, took over.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
In addition to Nacua, the group includes Pro Bowl linebacker Byron Young, guards Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson, and defensive end Kobie Turner.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Dilley faces mounting scrutiny from immigration lawyers and advocates, who say children have struggled emotionally and physically in an environment where lights remain on around the clock and guards patrol.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Sophomore guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell, both sophomores, emerged as reliable college rotation players in 2025-26.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Trailing by one with under a minute to go, James burst from the low block, diving like Superman across the court for a loose ball rebound, beating Nuggets guards Christian Braun and Jamal Murray to the ball to force a tie up.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Sierra Canyon sophomore guards Jordan Mize and JJ Sati-Grier scored 11 points each, and Sati-Grier had 10 assists.
—Steve Fryer, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Jets lost linebacker Quincy Williams, guards Vera-Tucker and John Simpson and kicker Nick Folk.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Swain runs the offense, guards every position and is the one player who cannot afford to have a bad night at the office, lest the Horns will get blown out in most instances.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
-
The state wardens and other cops who knew and worked with Bob Markle weren’t just honoring his memory by attending his funeral.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Armas said the prison wardens never switched off the lights.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
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
-
Moisturizer Your evening moisturizer locks in hydration and supports skin repair overnight.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Plus, five-year price guarantee locks talk/text/data rates (taxes/fees aside), and easy switch with port-ins, keeps everything seamless.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jalen Brunson knows any variation of offensive plays featuring both him and All-Star teammate Karl-Anthony Towns can be difficult, nearly impossible for opposing defenses to guard.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Last month, Iranian drone and missile strikes knocked out roughly 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capacity, while air defenses intercepted waves of missiles targeting civilian infrastructure like Hamad International Airport.—
Lauren Morganbesser,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The guides, who are not credentialed educators, supervise students and act as motivators and mentors.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Multiple Sacramento Bee readers recently reached out to the service journalism team to ask for guides on where to eat when looking to save money and when hoping to splurge on a nice meal.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Along the way, Johnson will be seen sheltering in an under-siege eight-story flat during a missile strike, and will join mobile gun teams and Kyiv’s volunteer air defenders for a freezing night shift protecting the capital from Russian drone attacks.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2026
-
In the 11th minute, SDFC threatened to take a 2-0 lead when Valakari split a pair of Minnesota defenders before blasting a low attempt from the top of the box.—
Kyle Kensing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Legal experts such as the Polish Ombudsman, which protects civil and human rights in Poland, and the UNHCR have criticized Poland's suspension of the right to asylum.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
This bipartisan legislation protects people with kidney disease from private insurance pushing dialysis patients off their plan prematurely.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His death sparked civil unrest in Puerto Vallarta and more than a dozen Mexican states, including Quintana Roo, with cars set on fire and blockades obstructing highways.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
-
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 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
