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
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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
Parents, guardians, aunts and uncles don't have time to read every book on the shelf while trying to pick something for the young reader in their life, so here are some simple ways to determine if a book is suitable for that child.
—
Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Recorded by hosts Ann Gadzikowski and Elizabeth Romanski in Chicago, this podcast is for the ears of parents, guardians, teachers, and lifelong learners around the world.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
As part of the ruling that declared the 22-year-old as incompetent, her parents were appointed as her legal guardians.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Or to rephrase the question, can the guardians of English football really afford to do nothing when the number of SCA deaths is so startling and in many cases, Adam included, there is overwhelming evidence that a young person’s life could have been saved?
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Parents or guardians may also be held accountable, police said.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Even if a provider is available nearby, parents or guardians may still need to take time off work to bring a child to an appointment, or find child care for their other children, Kelly and Carmack said.
—Evan MacDonald, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
Other exceptions include an allowance for coaches to enter during athletic events, or for parents or guardians to accompany a child or family member who needs assistance.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Are these mountains of fire the voice of a wounded land, or the guardians of a history still seeking justice?
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Recorded by hosts Ann Gadzikowski and Elizabeth Romanski in Chicago, this podcast is for the ears of parents, guardians, teachers, and lifelong learners around the world.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
As part of the ruling that declared the 22-year-old as incompetent, her parents were appointed as her legal guardians.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Or to rephrase the question, can the guardians of English football really afford to do nothing when the number of SCA deaths is so startling and in many cases, Adam included, there is overwhelming evidence that a young person’s life could have been saved?
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Parents or guardians may also be held accountable, police said.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Even if a provider is available nearby, parents or guardians may still need to take time off work to bring a child to an appointment, or find child care for their other children, Kelly and Carmack said.
—Evan MacDonald, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
Other exceptions include an allowance for coaches to enter during athletic events, or for parents or guardians to accompany a child or family member who needs assistance.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Are these mountains of fire the voice of a wounded land, or the guardians of a history still seeking justice?
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardians
Noun
-
Night custodians were finishing up their rounds.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Athletic coaches, people responding to emergencies, people supervising inmates, custodians, and people helping children who need bathroom assistance get a pass.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Raised by Samburu keepers who act as surrogate parents, these elephants are nurtured back to health and prepared for life in the wild.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Apr. 2026
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The zoo asks that no one approach her directly — only her keepers should make contact.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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With the Heat continuing to play small, Siakam was able to shoot over smaller defenders, including an easy jumper over Davion Mitchell, who’s eight inches shorter at an even six feet.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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With key Pistons defenders like Ausar Thompson (ankle), Cade Cunningham (lung), and Isaiah Stewart (calf) sidelined or doubtful, Gilgeous-Alexander has a prime opportunity to exploit the matchup.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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When caregivers there left a suicidal resident hanging by the neck from his room’s sprinkler system without giving the man immediate aid, Florida’s healthcare watchdog agency took the uncommon action of asking a judge to shut down Villa Rosa IV.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Already, 1 in 4 adults are caregivers, and nearly 30 percent of caregivers are part of the sandwich generation supporting both young children and aging parents.—
Wendy R. Anderson,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Consider installing gutter guards or screens, which help block debris from entering while still allowing water through.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
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For homeowners who want to minimize ongoing gutter work, guards represent a practical investment.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Lamont administration has also argued that the program actually creates a burden for some enrollees, who are responsible for recruiting their own caretakers and may find that overwhelming.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
16 Mar. 2026
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The new owners see themselves as caretakers.—
Abby Dodge,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The action to rescue her falls eventually to Mario and Luigi, having relocated permanently to the Mushroom Kingdom and serving as protectors of the realm, solving problems for its inhabitants.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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Shiite minorities in other countries tend to view Iranian leaders as protectors and have sometimes risked personal safety to protest the war.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The state wardens and other cops who knew and worked with Bob Markle weren’t just honoring his memory by attending his funeral.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
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Armas said the prison wardens never switched off the lights.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guardians.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guardians. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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