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 The club’s website says a parent or guardian has to be on-site during a reservation. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026 The department also warned that minors are not exempt from prosecution and said parents or guardians may be held legally or financially responsible for damage caused by their children. — Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 July 2026 More info Tickets for the event are $100 (includes admission for one parent/guardian and one child; $50 for each additional family member). — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026 Police may hold them in the Youth Connection Center until a parent or guardian picks them up. — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 9 July 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
  • The deals, reached to avert a strike in April, promised double-digit raises to teachers, aides, custodians and other workers.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • That said, in practice, most IRA custodians will have their own documentation requirements.
    — James Lange, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • The critical moment took place before that, when the taker didn’t accurately perceive or interpret the movements of the ’keeper.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • But the White Sox drafted a keeper that year in Hall of Famer Harold Baines.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • The Wolves have one of the NBA’s best rim protectors (Rudy Gobert).
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Several times each year, His Holiness requests guidance from Kuten La, who in his role as State Oracle serves as mouthpiece for Nechung, an ancient deity and Tibet’s spiritual protector.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Long-term care industry leaders say caregivers with the necessary skills cannot be retained for the wages companies are willing to pay.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
  • Venus, our planet of harmony, ventures into the fields of Virgo from July 9 until August 6, and this is a time to be nurturing caregivers in our relationships.
    — Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • Former Houston standout guard Kingston Flemings hit a deep jumper — his toe was ruled on the 3-point line — with three seconds left in OT, slicing Utah’s lead to one, 100-99.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
  • Tempers flared late in the fourth quarter when Kings center Dylan Cardwell and Nets guard Egor Demin wrestled for a loose ball.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of guard
Noun
  • There’s also a tiny museum and a house where the island’s wardens live.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 8 July 2026
  • Judge McCaslin weighed in on the laptop issue during Monday's hearing, saying that the prison warden would not allow Murdaugh to keep a laptop in his cell due to safety concerns.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup chipped the ball toward the goal from the left side, and Haaland leaped, swung his neck and headed it into the net, outjumping Brazil’s 6-foot-3 defender Gabriel Magalhães, his Premier League nemesis.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
  • Before Mbappe scored his penalty, Gustavo Velazquez, the Paraguayan defender, scuffed the penalty spot, another underhanded attempt to disturb the tournament favourites.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • His body was discovered by his live-in caretaker and the caretaker’s wife.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
  • The case has drawn an outpouring of support for Hearn, a longtime volunteer caretaker of park property, as Trump officials warn that vandalism of national monuments won’t go unpunished.
    — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 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 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on guardian

Nglish: Translation of guardian for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guardian

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