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 Children in particular are unfamiliar with the signs of heat illness and require guardians to be diligent of their temperatures and hydration needs. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated July 17, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026 Created in 1958 by Ross Bagdasarian, the world of Alvin and the Chipmunks centers on Alvin, Simon and Theodore, three singing chipmunk brothers who live with Dave Seville, their manager and legal guardian. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 One of those was to be a guardian of the culture that the company’s founder built. — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 15 July 2026 Like a guardian of the absolute desert, Chile’s coastal mountain range sleeps a mineral slumber, the bluffs defending the driest desert in the world. — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 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
  • Authorities say Borg worked for two years as a custodian for AUSD, but lost his job in 2024 amid a conflict with another employee.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • Those jobs belong to a separate custodian, who manages the retirement account paperwork, and a depository, who keeps the metals secure.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 21 July 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • Argentine keeper Emiliano Martínez set a new record for most saves in a men’s World Cup Final, with 11, including a few diving stops that kept Argentina alive.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 20 July 2026
  • The goal ruined a superhuman effort by Argentine keeper Emiliano Martínez, who made 11 saves while playing with a fractured right ring finger that will require surgery.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • At the heart of the celebration is Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine, a Shinto site whose principal deity has long been revered as a protector against calamities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • The one god who periodically turns up, Zendaya’s Athena – supposedly Ulysses’ divine protector against the wrath of Zeus and Poseidon and all the rest – has surprisingly little to do in this version.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • James Salmond, benefits director for the city of Atlanta, says the smart bassinet rental complements other employee benefits involving a newborn such as caregiver leave.
    — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Offering caregiving support may seem odd for a financial advising firm, but more than 63 million Americans (nearly one in four adults) are caregivers, and nearly one in three support both a parent and a child, AARP said.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • Ahead of the trophy celebrations, the Spanish extended an olive branch, providing a guard of honour to their opponents.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Cots, bottle warmers, bottle sterilizing tablets, and bed guards are offered, as well as babysitting services, swimming lessons, complimentary non-motorized water sports, and blended baby food especially prepared by the chef.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Definition of guard
Noun
  • One hunter, for instance, was confronted by a warden 100 yards from his truck and cited for leaving his hunting license in the vehicle rather than keeping it on his person.
    — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 22 July 2026
  • There were also issues with inadequate access to lawyers, which civil rights advocates raised in a letter to the warden in May 2025.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • Then Nicolas Tagliafico, a poor defender up against a great attacker in Lamine Yamal, took to attempting to foul the winger in four different ways at once, but most unpleasantly grazed his studs down Yamal’s calf.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Things looked even better for Argentina when Spain had a goal disallowed for what appeared to be a very soft foul by Mikel Merino on an Albiceleste defender that ruled out Williams’ effort.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • The lingering air pollution has proved to be a challenge for some caretakers to care for their stock.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
  • He was trusted with the most intimate emotional labor in his family; trusted to be the caretaker, the one who looked out.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 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 26 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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