guard 1 of 3

1
2
as in defensive
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 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
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

guard

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verb (1)

guard (against)

3 of 3

verb (2)

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
This week, the NBA released the list of individual players with the top-selling jerseys during the 2024-25 season, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić took home the top spot. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025 If he is gone, the play would be to add the best available tackle from a group of five that could be available (Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr.;, Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson — who some teams regard more as a guard — and Josh Simmons; Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr., and Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery. Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
Braden Smith over to guard and keeping Goncalves on the outside. James Boyd, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 He was trained throughout his time as a junior officer to protect and guard the nation’s secrets. Tara Suter, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guard
Noun
  • Since the org partnered with Three Camel Lodge in 2020 to expand the breeding program, visitors to the camp can meet the stoic (but still quite cute and fluffy) guardian dogs.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Today’s Wordle Etymology The word genie comes from the French génie, which was borrowed from Latin genius, meaning a guardian spirit or guiding influence.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Sharing the stage with costars Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and Emilio Estevez, Ringwald was asked to share her take on the fan response to Sheedy's big makeover scene in the 1985 film — and immediately went on the defensive.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Peace can only last for so long, though, and soon enough, Joel and Ellie are back on the defensive, forced to fight to keep their newly tranquil lives from slipping back into chaos.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On the Metro front, the company is introducing four new plans—Metro Starter, Metro Starter Plus, Metro Flex Unlimited, and Metro Flex Unlimited Plus—which all feature the price lock.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The lifetime price lock did last for more than five years, after all.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This and that The Bruins have several players wearing the same number on offense and defense.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Foreign ownership caps exist in critical sectors like telecom, aviation, and defense.
    Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Crypto Confidential: Forbes' definitive guide to crypto and blockchain, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.
    Azeem Khan, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • For helpful tips, see our guides on how to photograph the moon and how to photograph the planets.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Some also wonder about his dependability as a run defender.
    Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025
  • For most of his first term, Trump leaned heavily on his solid footing as a steward of the economy and defender of the border to offset his erratic day-to-day antics.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Related article Young children, a substitute teacher, the head of their school and its custodian.
    John Miller, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
  • When the Dispatch caught up with Nesbit nearly 13 years after his capture, he had been paroled to St. Paul and was working as a custodian for a local business.
    Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Ivy League college was forced to cancel its main graduation ceremony, citing safety concerns amid ongoing protests and a wave of antisemitism gripping the grounds.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The cuts would affect parking enforcement, traffic signal updates, goals to improve traffic safety and support for major rail and bus lane projects ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
    Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guard. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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