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 Health insurers, meanwhile, are tasked with being guardians of the health care dollar and master negotiators. — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026 Vaccination itself still requires the consent of ​the patient or a legal guardian. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2026 Given that Chuy García continued to serve out his term despite the health issues his wife is experiencing and his new responsibilities as guardian of his grandchild, the other explanation does not hold water. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 Acorns' Early Invest is a custodial account with a kid-friendly app to go with it while Greenlight's investment offering for kids is a brokerage account held in the parent or guardian's name. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 3 Oct. 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
  • Okwuosa reports the average salary for a custodian is about $45,000 this fiscal year, up from $36,900 in fiscal year 2021-22.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Under what was known as the Status Quo, a set of unwritten understandings between Israel and Jordan, the custodian of Jerusalem’s Muslim holy sites, Jews could visit the shrine, but only Muslims could worship there.
    — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • Herbert melted down, getting stonewalled on a fourth-and-one keeper, fumbling away the next possession, then ending the next with an interception.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Stroud finished the drive with a 2-yard keeper for 19-3 lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • Veteran David Quessenberry, a ninth-year pro who last started a game in 2023, will start in place of Jackson as quarterback Matthew Stafford’s blindside protector.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For assets under custody, BNY acts as a protector with administrative responsibilities.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • The teen will need caregivers who can provide him with stability, boundaries and structure.
    — The Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Chacon said Medicaid has helped cover almost $25,000 per month of care for her son, which includes a small stipend for her and her husband as compensation for being long-term caregivers.
    — Mikella Schuettler, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • The following month, the league approved the Dream’s sale to an ownership group comprising Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair and former Dream guard Renee Montgomery.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Key injury to Jonah Savaiinaea Right guard Jonah Savaiinaea suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of guard
Noun
  • Hosfelt was among nine staff members, including the former warden, arrested in June 2024 and charged with felonies in connection with deaths at the prison.
    — Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Luckily — or maybe unluckily — the camp’s warden, a hardbitten guy with an oily smile named Clancy (Russell Crowe, hardbitten, smiley, and oily), takes a liking to Murphy.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • The defender made a great play, but Manning made a bad throw.
    — Mac Engel October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The court referred him to the public defender and requested an evaluation, according to court records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • Friends, who became his primary caretaker, said jazz remained a constant presence.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Police said a 37-year-old woman who worked as a caretaker died in the Thursday morning attack at the school in Leszczydol-Nowiny, northeast of Warsaw.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 2026.

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