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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 That same year, Balkin asked a New York court to appoint a guardian to oversee Max’s business. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026 The son and a guardian alleged that Mary Max had depleted his finances and browbeat him. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 The driver, guardian and teen cannot access the recording, according to Uber. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026 The organization claimed in the lawsuit that the state law violated equal protection for minors and the due process rights of parents and guardians to obtain necessary medical care for their child. — Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 11 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
  • In Colorado, custodians have to transfer assets within 60 days of receiving an affidavit from the charity claiming the funds.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Long is on Zoom, from her home in Los Angeles and seated at her kitchen counter with the sliding doors behind her, where a custodian is cleaning the deck that coyotes keep fouling.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • Ultimately, Jenkins capped the drive with a 4-yard keeper, putting UCF ahead 34-27 with 33 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Trey Owens fooled the TCU defense with a 34-yard keeper on third-and-1 to get inside the 10-yard line.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • And look for Maxx Crosby to feast against the Chargers’ pass protectors who couldn’t keep the Cardinals out of Herbert’s backfield.
    — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Frankel plays Ian, the older brother and protector of Emilia Jones’ lead character, Gabby Clemente.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Sometimes the caregiver comes out as some kind of heroic figure.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Every fall, millions of American parents and caregivers make extraordinary sacrifices to send a child to college.
    — Suresh Garimella, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • Cooper Powers got the start at left guard over usual starter Cade Bennett, this follows Killian Registe getting the start at right tackle last week against Grambling State over Witten Van Hoy.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The assault, which was captured on bodycam footage, led to charges against 10 guards.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 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
  • Kitchen starts in Missouri’s base package as a run defender on first and second down, but often rotates off the field in passing situations.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026
  • There were multiple carries when Payne had to elude a defender deep in the backfield just to avoid a negative play.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • Chan says the choice was tied to a broader decision to root the film in the patient’s own experience rather than a family’s or caretaker’s view of her.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Alongside another caretaker in the department, Scruggs pays for Cheeto’s care and medical expenses out of pocket.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 16 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 24 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guardian

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