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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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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

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
But as the guard started to wheel him out of the room, the former mogul roused himself for one final pitch. —Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026 Attorneys believe the guard's mother was secretary or treasurer at Farragut at the time. —Lauren Victory, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
One of the players who has taken advantage of the program is Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026 People would choose not to guard her, choose not to treat her like a real basketball player on offense. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 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
  • Teens and guardians can also request women drivers on demand through Uber’s teen accounts.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Authorities of the Taliban's ministry for the prevention of vice and promotion of virtue have, at random times through Afghanistan, imposed one of their rules, which prohibit women and girls from being in public without a male guardian — which can even be a boy.
    — Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • Instead of openly debating and learning from experts or one another, students often remain on the defensive.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
  • And this seems to be a time when many people are constantly on the defensive.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of defensive
Noun
  • The loss locks in the longest losing streak at USC in over a decade, as well as the longest losing streak of Musselman’s tenure as a college coach.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Mayer’s last three games came at home as part of the same unit as Trevor Story, Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras, all of whom are locks to start.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of lock
Noun
  • But those two additions should make the Panthers’ defense significantly better coming off an NFC South-winning campaign.
    — Mike Kaye Updated March 9, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Christopher Cann Turkey's Defense Ministry said Monday that NATO air defenses shot down a ballistic missile fired from Iran.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of defense
Noun
  • In the President’s universe, action is instead taken as a guide for values.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • This guide breaks down what to look for, based on your backyard, and which ones are actually worth the investment.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of guide
Noun
  • Montreal's first goal of the season was set up when Iván Jaime drew a foul on Red Bulls' defender Justin Che.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Yet this league is replete with scorers who aren’t defenders.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of defender
Verb
  • Consider moving a meeting to protect family time, because a small adjustment could restore steadiness without sacrificing your supportive nature.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
  • To protect these fragile machines, developers are supposed to invest in expensive battery storage or grid backups, ultimately driving up production costs and stalling the transition to affordable green fuel.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of protect
Verb
  • The Caribbean nation has experienced severe fuel shortages, upending daily life on the island, after the US blockaded Venezuelan oil shipments.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The administration has threatened to tariff Cuba’s trade partners and has blockaded the island from receiving oil imports, which has sparked a deepening energy crisis in the country.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 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 15 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on guard

Nglish: Translation of guard for Spanish Speakers

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