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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 After Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools notified students’ parents and guardians, the district gave students the option to stay at school or go home, wrote Markl Johnson, district spokesperson, in a statement. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 Drivers under the age of 21 are not allowed to travel with any alcohol unless they are accompanied by a parent, relative or legal guardian. — Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026 The son and a guardian claims that Mary Max had depleted his finances and browbeat him. — Beth J. Harpaz The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026 The administrations of both schools said in the statement that parents or guardians in attendance should report any concerning activity. — Patrick Damp, CBS News, 18 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
  • If the information isn't readily available online, contact your custodian to ask how to get these specific details.
    — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 23 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
  • Kaminski was 33-of-48 passing for 381 yards for North Dakota (4-1), ranked seventh in the Stats Perform Football Championship Subdivision poll, and added 76 yards on 18 keepers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • The second a Verizon worker mentions adding a screen protector, my blood boils.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Sixteen patient-caregiver pairs took part – seven patients had high neck injuries causing tetraplegia (paralysis affecting all four limbs), and nine had upper-back injuries causing paraplegia (affecting lower limbs).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Health inspectors claim that the actions of Alfonso’s caregivers also led to the death of Resident 7, who had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a life-threatening lung condition, as well as bipolar disorder.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • Iowa lined up to go for it on fourth down at the Michigan 28 late in the game and left guard Leighton Jones was flagged for a false start.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The Fever guard missed much of last season with a variety of injuries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 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
  • KaVontae Turpin makes a defender miss in the open field on third down, picks up the first, and Williams plows it in for the TD.
    — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Montgomery hesitated in front of Lee before cutting inside to leave Lee one-on-one with a defender streaking toward the end zone.
    — PJ Green September 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • After both sides signed the Pretoria peace deal, a caretaker administration seen as loyal to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was installed in Mekelle, the Tigray capital.
    — SAMUEL GETACHEW, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The women supposedly work more in caretaker jobs like teaching and healthcare, softening their views toward the least of us.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 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 30 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guardian

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