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 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
  1. custodian
  2. keeper
  3. protector
  4. caregiver
  5. guard
  6. warden
  7. defender
  8. caretaker
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
  • Two school custodians have been found shot dead in a Chicago elementary school, according to Chicago ABC station WLS.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of custodian
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
Definition of keeper
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
Definition of protector
Noun
  • This guarantees that no matter which parent or caregiver is running the afternoon hustle, everyone is in the loop on expectations beyond drop-off and pick-up times.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In the two years since the accident, Alicia, 35, has taken on the role of caregiver for her 37-year-old husband, supporting his therapy exercises, managing appointments and advocating for him within the medical system.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • Sun-protective clothing has long had an audience with swimmers, surfers and young children donning the trusty rash guard, as well as hikers and athletes.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Lamont over the past eight years has displayed visionary leadership and has adhered to Connecticut’s ‘fiscal guard rails’ rules limiting spending growth and directing surplus revenues toward reserves and pension debt.
    — Kevin McNabola, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard
Noun
  • The women tensed when the deputy warden of the Rostov jail, a curt, imperious man with a heavy-footed gait, walked in.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Moses Seixas, warden of Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, presented an address welcoming President George Washington to the city.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • Sullivan and defender Kai Wagner had assists on Jacques' third goal -- matching his total from last season.
    — CBS New York Team, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Edelman, who perfectly timed his run, slipped between a pair of defenders for a sliding first-touch goal, off a cross played by Conrad Wallem, from the center of the penalty box.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • Can Carrick turn a good few months as United caretaker into a successful whole season?
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Slot machines only respond to a computer program and the odds of a win are set by the machine’s caretaker, period.
    — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 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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