GUARDIANS Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

guardians

noun

plural of guardian

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

Relevance

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

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

as in caregivers

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 guardians Some child daycare programs can be exempt from licensing if parents and guardians are on the same premises and if they are not operated on certain sites, including malls or ski facilities. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026 The department also warned that minors are not exempt from prosecution and said parents or guardians may be held legally or financially responsible for damage caused by their children. — Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 July 2026 This dynamic makes figures such as MrBeast and TheBurntPeanut the guardians of American culture. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 Parents or legal guardians can fill out of IRS Form 4547 online to create an account, requiring the date of birth, Social Security number and contact information for the parent and child. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Police there also can cite parents or legal guardians when juvenile riders repeatedly violate the ordinance. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026 What parents can do Whether or not Pennsylvania’s bell-to-bell ban bill becomes law, parents and guardians remain central to helping children develop healthy phone habits and communication skills. — Elizabeth Dowdell, The Conversation, 6 July 2026 If the school declares an emergency, students may be provided with prepared text messages to keep their parents or guardians informed. — Chaewon Chung updated July 6, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026 This winning series captures a row of poplar trees planted along the banks of the River Po in Italy, which are natural guardians against flooding, now standing immersed in perfectly still water beneath soft, diffused light. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardians

Noun

Williams has never lacked interpreters, custodians, handlers, or rescuers with pruning shears.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2026
Some custodians give checkbooks to IRA owners.

— Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of custodians

Noun

Other times, lackluster crosses in crucial moment allowed for easy cleanup by the keepers.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Without keepers present for daily maintenance in the oft-harsh and briny air, many fell into disrepair and were considered excess property by the federal government, which did not set aside much money for preservation.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of keepers

Noun

Long-term care industry leaders say caregivers with the necessary skills cannot be retained for the wages companies are willing to pay.

— Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
Venus, our planet of harmony, ventures into the fields of Virgo from July 9 until August 6, and this is a time to be nurturing caregivers in our relationships.

— Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026

Definition of caregivers

Noun

The Lakers were eliminated by Oklahoma City, who relied on standout performances from young guards Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell to overcome a quiet series from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and an injury to Jalen Williams.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Armed guards routinely patrol outside synagogues, Jewish community centers and schools.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of guards

Noun

The congregation started to arrive at the usual time, about half an hour before Mass on a recent Saturday afternoon, the old church slowly filling with the descendants and caretakers of a place of great serenity but also great loss.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Over the weekend, however, caretakers observed a rapid decline in Makan’s condition.

— Reeti Malhotra July 1, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of caretakers

Noun

Orders for vacuum batteries (up 62%), mobile phone screen protectors (up 44%), and home game console replacement parts (up 38%) took off in early summer shopping.

— Vidhi Choudhary, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Defense The primary reason the Lakers likely chose Kessler over offering a max deal to Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren is that Kessler is one of the NBA’s best rim protectors.

— Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of protectors

Noun

At least two Colorado prison wardens participated in a racist, homophobic group chat on both personal and work cellphones for years, prompting an internal investigation into their conduct that has stretched for 15 months.

— Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 29 June 2026
The juvenile bear’s wander across campus late Thursday and early Friday prompted an advisory to students and a search by UC Davis police and wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as Yolo County Animal Control.

— Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026