Definition of guardiannext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Further measures followed, such as mandatory dress requirements, restrictions that require many women to be accompanied by a male guardian when leaving home, the closure of secondary schools for girls, and barring women from attending universities. Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026 The law requires districts developing their policies to obtain input from teachers’ representatives, administrators and parents or guardians. Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 After Goldie’s death, Ramona was raised by her grandfather, who then appointed Joe as her guardian upon his own passing. Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 The legislation calls for children who need to contact their parents or guardians to use a school phone. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guardian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardian
Noun
  • More from this past week • A transgender woman who works as a custodian at the University of Kansas was reported for using the wrong restroom under a new state law.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Zuckerberg is referencing OpenAI and Anthropic, which operate on the premise that hyper-smart AI is both inevitable and apocalyptic—and therefore safe only in the hands of the wisest custodians (themselves).
    Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The 23-year-old has been lined up to be the third-choice keeper this season.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Seattle keeper Andrew Thomas had the only save of the match on a shot by Müller in the 52nd minute.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Cohen would later act as Sun’s protector and confidant through the years of the Chinese Revolution.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • No two tales of what happened to Maelor after his knight protector was shot dead agree, but the young boy was also slain on the bridge, perhaps torn apart by the mob who assailed him, arguing over what to do with the young prince.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Our three children grew up as his caregivers too, the way so many kids in these homes quietly do.
    Vanessa Chism, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Our Kids’ Climate (OKC) supports parents, grandparents and caregivers in over 50 countries to take action to protect children from the impact of the climate crisis.
    Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • How can anyone dare to let their guard down and risk being hurt once again?
    Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Rookie Carver Willis got first-team reps at right guard, and Jordan James saw action with the second team after missing time with a rib injury.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • There is no word on when the search for a new warden will commence.
    Christopher DeRose, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But to Bill Donnelly, the service’s warden, New Jersey’s fire season, like North America’s, can feel unending.
    Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Ryder Ajeto’s first touch in the box was deflected by a Florida defender, but Ajeto followed the ball and scored from eight yards to produce the final 3-1 margin.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Initially ruled a clean block in the 82nd minute, video review reversed the call and a handball was called on Angel City defender Sarah Gorden.
    Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • White works for the state as an in-home caretaker for elderly and disabled clients.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Jose Mourinho returns to the Bernabeu thirteen years after his first spell ended, appointed to end a two-season trophy drought that cost Xabi Alonso his job in January and left Álvaro Arbeloa’s caretaker spell without a single piece of silverware.
    Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guardian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guardian. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on guardian

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster