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
3
4
as in defense
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in to watch out (for)
to be cautious of or on guard against
unfortunately, you have to guard against theft while you're traveling
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of guard
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025
Chief among them was the 2015 beating death of mentally ill inmate Michael Tyree, which led to initial murder convictions and later manslaughter pleas for three jail guards.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
Calm, intelligent and highly independent, these dogs have guarded flocks for centuries without the need for human oversight.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for guard
Noun
But Jones wasn’t expecting 21-year-old Connecticut Sun guard Leila Lacan, who stepped on the court with no fear in Friday’s matchup against the defending league champions.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025
Chief among them was the 2015 beating death of mentally ill inmate Michael Tyree, which led to initial murder convictions and later manslaughter pleas for three jail guards.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
Israel must provide safe corridors and distribution locations and use its troops to guard them rather than shoot down civilians desperate for food.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
Calm, intelligent and highly independent, these dogs have guarded flocks for centuries without the need for human oversight.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guard
Noun
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Younger children must be registered by a parent or guardian and re-register upon turning 14.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Thomas is now representing Kevin Hunter, who takes issue with no longer being paid severance from his divorce, in a lawsuit that looks to replace Morrissey as Williams’ guardian and a court order mandating a reassessment of money owed to him.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Already, state officials are putting Trump on the defensive.—
Joe Mathews,
Mercury News,
2 Aug. 2025
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And so Dinkins found himself on the defensive for days on end.—
Jonathan Mahler,
Curbed,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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And the Army Corps, which manages the river's locks and dams in the area, has an office in La Crescent, Minnesota, across the river from La Crosse.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Holt, Smith and Wayne might have to wait even longer to get into the Hall in yet another crowded class of receiver candidates given Fitzgerald seems like a lock for enshrinement in his first year of eligibility.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Jennings is a very useful player in a defense that prioritizes defenders who can eat up space and set the edge against the run.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
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The key rotation on offense and defense was pretty much settled after two straight playoff runs.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Merry Maids offers an excellent guide to cleaning various types of countertops, most of which can become sparkling clean in seconds with a bit of soap and water.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
6 Aug. 2025
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It was listed in the historic Green Book, the guide that was used by African American travelers to find friendly hotels, restaurants and service stations in New England from the 1930s to the 1960s.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Fofana is arguably Chelsea’s most gifted defender, but the 24-year-old has also spent much of his time at Stamford Bridge on the sidelines.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
8 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile, at least 40 individuals—including journalists and human rights defenders—have had their passports canceled without warning, effectively trapping them inside the country.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Our government is the custodian of public trust and taxpayer funds and we as citizens have every right to insist on transparency and accountability.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Aug. 2025
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As custodians of the ultimate game of failure, baseball people are wired to fear the worst possible outcomes.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Employers retain broad authority to regulate cannabis use, set drug testing policies, and manage workplace safety.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Do the needs of a few bicycle riders throughout the county trump safety on our highways?—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guard. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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