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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of guardian
The guardians of knowledge have customarily deemed the history and experience of Asian Americans to be inessential or peripheral to all levels of American education.
—
Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with a parent or guardian’s consent.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
The best thing parents and guardians can do to avoid these exposures is to lock these substances away and have discussions about the risks of using drugs like nicotine and cannabis, Campbell said.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Spring break is finally here in Oklahoma, and parents and guardians are looking for ways to keep kids busy until school returns.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guardian
Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with a parent or guardian’s consent.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
The best thing parents and guardians can do to avoid these exposures is to lock these substances away and have discussions about the risks of using drugs like nicotine and cannabis, Campbell said.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Spring break is finally here in Oklahoma, and parents and guardians are looking for ways to keep kids busy until school returns.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guardian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardian
Noun
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The union represents more than 30,000 district employees, including teacher aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, computer techs, custodians and gardeners.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Parent voters must provide additional identification or documentation that establishes themselves as the parent, legal guardian or temporary custodian of a child enrolled in the school.—
Hope Moses,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Pfeiffer opened the scoring in the eighth minute, cutting across from the right wing and beating Denver keeper Abby Smith with her left foot.—
Harold Gutmann,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Two snakes brought to her school for a Lyceum program got out of their glass boxes, sending students scrambling to stand on chairs, keepers racing to find the creatures, and teachers trying to hustle kids out of the auditorium.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Olivia, meanwhile, is both a protector and leader with her younger sister.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
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Against physical on-ball defenders and a rim protector, Fernández wants the second side, the extra touch, the patient possession that creates a clean shot instead of a contested one.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Across America, only six in 10 caregivers remain employed, and half report work disruptions — arriving late, leaving early or quitting entirely.—
Neal K. Shah,
Boston Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
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Twenty-one companies extended leave policies for primary caregivers, while fifteen companies lengthened leave for secondary caregivers.—
Eric Rosenbaum,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has confirmed the death of Larijani, along with his son Morteza Larijani and the head of his office, Alireza Bayat, as well as several guards, the Associated Press reported.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
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Only six players in NBA history had dished out more assists than Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook going into Tuesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, and now that list is even shorter.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Armas said the prison wardens never switched off the lights.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
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Creators Christy Karacas, Stephen Warbrick, and Ben Gruber eke out delightful character work along the way, like when Jared, bruised by the warden’s disdain for his pitches to improve the prison, takes over for an episode by pulling a Weekend at Bernie’s after the warden hits his head.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Rothrock made a couple touches and, as goalkeeper Daniel crept off his line, slipped a shot past defender Reid Roberts and inside the near post.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
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In the 66th minute, Ary Borges stepped in front of a Chicago defender, intercepting a pass from goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and slipped the ball into the back of the net.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Arakawa, 65, who was also his caretaker, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease that affects the lungs.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
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Pet nannies aren’t eligible to travel in the cargo hold, although some horse shipping containers have space for a caretaker.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guardian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guardian. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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