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guardian

noun

ˈgär-dē-ən How to pronounce guardian (audio)
Definition of guardiannext
1
as in custodian
a person or group that watches over someone or something the state became his guardian when he was put into protective custody

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2
as in keeper
a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner the guardians of the summer estate awaited the return of the tycoon

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3
as in protector
someone that protects the editor defended his newspaper's unrelenting exposure of government corruption, arguing that it is journalism's role to act as a guardian of democracy

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4
as in caregiver
a person who has responsibility for the care of another when her parents died, her aunt became her legal guardian

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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 guardian Noschese recommends the parents and guardians of her clients to attend the presentation. — Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026 Hermès positions itself above the melee, as a guardian of tasteful continuity. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 Children can also participate but must be included on their parent or guardian's application. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 Additionally, only the voters themselves or their near relative or legal guardian may return a ballot for it to be cast. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guardian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardian
  1. custodian
  2. keeper
  3. protector
  4. caregiver
  5. guard
  6. warden
  7. defender
  8. caretaker
Noun
  • Process owners are becoming the custodians of enterprise autonomy, a responsibility that’s arriving faster than most teams expected.
    — Rajesh Gharpure, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • According to the Reza website, the brand actually dates back to the mid-1700s when the emperor of Persia selected the ancestors of the Reza family as custodians of the royal treasury eventually to serve as royal jewelers of Persia.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • Hornicek came onto the radar having been identified by Newcastle’s data team — which is headed up by Sudarshan Gopaladesikan, the technical director — as a future top-class ’keeper.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • So Wingard amicably parted ways with Godzilla’s keepers in order to reconnect with the types of films that first put him on the map.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • Rivers is a dependable pass protector and rusher and is a key special teams player.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • As silly as White and Enes Kanter Freedom look during their cosplay as protectors of women’s sports, the league still had to acknowledge their foolishness and respond that neither man is eligible for the WNBA draft.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • After opening up about his gender identity and sexuality to another youth at a group home in rural Oregon, Rin quickly regretted it, feeling ostracized from the other youth by his caregivers and misunderstood.
    — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Over the past 30 years, the Northland Shepherd’s Center has provided a food pantry, Meals on Wheels, transportation, technology assistance, support groups, caregiver support, enrichment programming and exercise classes for older adults.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • The right-side combo of tackle JC Latham and rookie camp surprise Fernando Carmona at guard are particularly intriguing as a run-blocking combo.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Rookie Jake Slaughter moves to that critical spot, and although the second-round pick played that position in college, the Chargers were hoping to start him at guard.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of guard
Noun
  • According to the post, Kentucky State Police Aviation saw smoke in the area, and wardens and search and rescue personnel were able to access the location, near the headwaters of Cave Run Lake, using a boat.
    — Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Game wardens did arrest nine people across Georgia for boating under the influence, the majority of whom were at Lake Lanier.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • The defender sustained the injuries following a late challenge from Van Bommel, 22, in the final stages of the league match at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
    — Ali Rampling, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The Dolphins full-court pressed Herring because of his skill set and reputation as a stout run defender, which is a massive need for the 2026 team new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is putting together and Jeff Hafley’s responsible for coaching.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • Most recently, Jackson’s namesake was appointed Burnley’s caretaker manager until the end of the 2025/26 season.
    — Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • During his testimony, the prosecution produced a spiral notebook in which Clancy had left instructions for caretakers on when to put down the baby, which vegetables to prepare for dinner, how to cut up the sweet potatoes.
    — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of caretaker

Phrases Containing guardian

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guardhouses
guardian
guardian angel
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Cite this Entry

“Guardian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guardian. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guardian

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