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 Officers attempted to press charges against Dudzinski’s legal guardian for allowing unlicensed and uninsured driving. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 The Austrian government has said the best use for the building would be the presence of the police as guardians of civil liberties. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 In California, petitioners must be at least 18 years old to file; otherwise, a petition may be filed on their behalf by a parent, near relative, or guardian. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026 Wendy Williams’ guardian has settled the lawsuit over Lifetime’s Where Is Wendy Williams? — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 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
  • Notably, this goals-prevented metric doesn’t account for the different number of shots a ’keeper faces.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Contrary to a popular myth, bees are indifferent to their keepers.
    — Richard Schiffman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • Linn said dogs were often seen in the Bronze Age and mythology as protectors, often guarding the house.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • Its traditional protector has been exposed as fickle and weak.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Some evacuees are elderly care home residents, helped out the affected area by their caregivers and, in some cases, paramedics.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • That shouldn't come as a surprise since caregivers spend nearly 24 hours each week coordinating or providing care.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd became the first WNBA rookie to win the 3-Point Contest on Friday night at Wintrust Arena.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • Fellow defensive end Keion White, linebackers Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Tatum Bethune and Luke Gifford, quarterback Mac Jones and center/guard Brett Toth also practiced after sitting out OTA practices in the spring.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 26 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
  • Sveindís Jónsdóttir scored for Angel City (7-7-1) in the 80th minute when defender Sophia Mattice sent a long ball forward.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 July 2026
  • The former clerk has also been a vocal defender of Kansas City’s new congressional district, which Republicans redrew last year.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • Islami was a mother of three children, Hayleigh (12), Madison (10) and Logan (7), and worked as a caretaker and personal assistant, her obituary said.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
  • The caretaker Camille assigned to her, Nurse Amy (Jacqueline Berces), has been following someone else’s orders and switching Juliette’s medication.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 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 29 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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