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
Relevance
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
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
The organization also wants to increase public awareness on the issue and guidance for parents and guardians navigating these cosmetic decisions with their teenagers — especially when there's so much uninformed information on social media.
—
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Both are guardians, both are thieves.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 2025
The suspects were released to their parents and guardians.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
All of this is predicated on the consent of parents or guardians and extensive conversations with the child’s medical team, Baker said.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors say both defendants are licensed foster-care workers who operated a foster home for nearly a decade and were Owen's legal guardians at the time of his death.
—Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Pregnant women, homeless people or those recently released from incarceration are exempt from new requirements, alongside parents and guardians of dependent children younger than 14 and disabled people.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2025
Meet other parents and guardians, through your child’s school or therapy sessions or online in communities for parents of kids with disabilities, who can relate and be supportive.
—Jaclyn Greenberg, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Without guardians and stability, Charlie and Molly find an unexpected ally and protector in Ignatius Oliver, and solace at his book shop, The Book Keep, where a book a day keeps the bombs away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Both are guardians, both are thieves.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 2025
The suspects were released to their parents and guardians.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
All of this is predicated on the consent of parents or guardians and extensive conversations with the child’s medical team, Baker said.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors say both defendants are licensed foster-care workers who operated a foster home for nearly a decade and were Owen's legal guardians at the time of his death.
—Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Pregnant women, homeless people or those recently released from incarceration are exempt from new requirements, alongside parents and guardians of dependent children younger than 14 and disabled people.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2025
Meet other parents and guardians, through your child’s school or therapy sessions or online in communities for parents of kids with disabilities, who can relate and be supportive.
—Jaclyn Greenberg, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Without guardians and stability, Charlie and Molly find an unexpected ally and protector in Ignatius Oliver, and solace at his book shop, The Book Keep, where a book a day keeps the bombs away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardians
Noun
-
The James family plans to travel to K’gari in the coming weeks to attend a smoking ceremony as guests of the island’s traditional custodians.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Building trust in a market dominated by large custodians was another challenge.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
During the half-hour show, animal keepers raise awareness of the conservation efforts at LA Zoo, engage with the audience about the perils of keeping exotic animals as pets, and inform visitors of the critical roles each bird plays in the environment.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
These keepers of all the knowledge and wisdom humans have gathered as parents are right in front of us—no smart phone required.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But Houston’s defenders aspire to carve out a place alongside some of the truly elite teams that have largely carried their teams to Super Bowl glory.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Baylor transfer Brendan Bett stepped in to produce (40 tackles, three sacks), while the emergence of true freshman Jeremiah McCloud (13 tackles) and Joseph Mbatchou (11) offer the Gators interior defenders to build around.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This support plays a crucial role in enabling Colorado parents and caregivers to work, pursue education, or participate in job training while their children are cared for in safe, nurturing learning environment.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Individuals who’ve grown up with inconsistent, critical or emotionally intense caregivers often associate conflict with rejection, loss of connection or emotional punishment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
President Bernardo Arévalo issued an emergency declaration after prisoners took 43 guards hostage, killing 10 officers.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Twenty-seven women were forced into a small holding cell after spending hours cuffed and chained on a bus where guards refused to give them food, water, or access to a toilet, according to USA Today; they were told to urinate on the floor.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The sanctuary serves as a forever home to more than 100 horses, donkeys, ponies and other farm animals, whose caretakers say they were saved from abuse over the years.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Their caretakers say that each was saved from some form of abuse over the years.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There's an opportunity to turn a quick profit Gold and silver, traditionally, have been considered income protectors versus income producers.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Since floors like vinyl are prone to scratching, Stein always recommends adding furniture protectors to the bottom of your furniture.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Since at least last Wednesday, wardens have been searching the Jefferson Hills area for a deer with a jug on its head.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Nov. 2025
-
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 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
