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 Most airlines now require unaccompanied minors to be escorted to their departure gates and met at the arrival gates by an adult guardian. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 The story follows insurance investigator Lu Xian, who awakens a mysterious precognitive power and discovers he is descended from an ancient legendary guardian. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 These children are, by definition, navigating an extraordinarily complicated system without a parent or guardian beside them. — John Mattingly, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2026 Only the parent or guardian linked to the teen's account can view the live video during the trip, according to Uber. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 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
  • Today, fifth-generation Fiorentinos are the custodians of this old-world, grandest of grand hotels, nearing its 200th anniversary.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Mireles was not found during that search, but his body was discovered a week later by a custodian working on the county property within a few hundred feet of the jail.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • Brazilian ’keeper Rogerio Ceni was Sao Paulo’s set-piece taker between 1997 and 2015, and scored 129 goals.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Allison Rugila, associate Sound keeper with Save the Sound, said that the presence of dolphins in the Long Island Sound points to both an ecological success story and a potential warning about the impacts of climate change.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 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
  • The wardens decided to leave the area and attempt to make the arrest on another day.
    — David Zeug, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Playing that cat, a work camp warden coercing Hawke’s character into smuggling gold through the wilderness, is none other than Russell Crowe.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 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 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on guardian

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guardian

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