1
as in custodians
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 keepers
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 defenders
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 caregivers
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
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Recent Examples of guardians
Nathan Muckey, the school’s principal, sent parents and guardians an email ahead of the walkout stressing that building and district staff would prioritize student safety in their response.
—
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Still, child care slots remain in short supply across wide swaths of New Mexico, even as the state extends assistance beyond working parents to grandparent guardians, foster parents and people experiencing homelessness.
—Morgan Lee, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Parents, guardians and others can contribute up to $5,000 annually to Trump accounts until children turn 18 years old.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,jessica Dickler, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
And so the city was exposed to future hurricanes, and lost the living guardians whose roots held the land in place.
—Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has tip sheets to help parents and guardians explain to children what healthy relationships look like, and also how to identify and report online criminal activities.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
In most cities, the enforcement begins with warnings and can lead to fines for minors and their parents or guardians.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit.
—Adriana Morga, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
But parents and guardians can enroll now by filling out Form 4547 through the IRS when filing their tax returns.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Still, child care slots remain in short supply across wide swaths of New Mexico, even as the state extends assistance beyond working parents to grandparent guardians, foster parents and people experiencing homelessness.
—Morgan Lee, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Parents, guardians and others can contribute up to $5,000 annually to Trump accounts until children turn 18 years old.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,jessica Dickler, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
And so the city was exposed to future hurricanes, and lost the living guardians whose roots held the land in place.
—Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has tip sheets to help parents and guardians explain to children what healthy relationships look like, and also how to identify and report online criminal activities.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 2026
In most cities, the enforcement begins with warnings and can lead to fines for minors and their parents or guardians.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit.
—Adriana Morga, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
But parents and guardians can enroll now by filling out Form 4547 through the IRS when filing their tax returns.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardians
Noun
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Those roles fall to separate custodians and depositories.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
His members include special education and teacher aides, cafeteria workers, custodians, gardeners and bus drivers.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Consider this trio the keepers of your wellness experience, the ones who dictate your diet, decipher data from your tests, alI in the name of longevity, a rather worthy endeavor.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
16 Feb. 2026
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The depiction of female shopkeepers and mothers, punctuated by women like me standing by concrete building blocks, underscores our importance as memory keepers within a society that has often needed rebuilding.—
Lara N. Dotson-Renta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There are 45 edge defenders who are set to become unrestricted free agents in March, per spotrac.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
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JSerra inbounded the ball, six JSerra players went into the frontcourt against five Inglewood defenders.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The caregivers who fill children’s early years with love and safety and playgrounds and books and songs and snacks aren’t doing it so their parents can go off and do more important things, like win gold medals.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
African striped mice, like humans, are among the few mammals for which the males typically act as caregivers to young—at least to some extent.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And the game pits two of the county’s best guards in junior Harmony Golightly of Mater Dei and Texas signee Amalia Holguin of Sage Hill.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The Dolphins have three viable starting offensive linemen — Patrick Paul, Aaron Brewer and Austin Jackson — under contract, and that doesn’t include Jonah Savaiinaea, who was one of the worst starting offensive guards in the NFL last season.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This group consists largely of women who are very poor and have left the workforce to become caretakers.—
Samantha Liss,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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This week, caretakers released the bird once more and stood on the beach as the western snowy plover took flight over waves that crashed against the sandy coastline.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the spring, simply launder your pillow and mattress protectors.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
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Strip off all bedding and mattress protectors to be washed.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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According to wardens, a team of trackers spotted the twins on Saturday, with monitoring and protection measures in force to increase their chances of survival.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Forest wardens walk into Kyebi Forest Reserve in the East Akim Municipal district in Ghana.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guardians.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guardians. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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