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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guardians
The letter instructed parents and guardians to immediately call a doctor and shelter at home if their child develops symptoms associated with measles.
—
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
In order to pick up a student, parents and guardians will be required to have a photo ID and be listed in Skyward as eligible to pick up the student.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
At the threshold to the burial chamber there are carvings of two human figures holding various artifacts in their hands, who may have been the guardians of the tomb, according to the INAH.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Parents, guardians and others can also contribute up to $5,000 annually until children turn 18 years old.
—Jessica Dickler,kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
With guardians present, detectives discussed the earlier assault and took the three juveniles into custody.
—Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal, 28 Jan. 2026
Apparently, the Meyers in Long Beach were ruled unfit as guardians, or Lynn refused to go back to them, so juvenile authorities located some blood relatives, possibly her father or half sister, and put her on a train back East.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
They were returned and reunited with their legal guardians, the rep added.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
But the editors and unpaid reviewers who act as guardians of the scientific literature are newly besieged.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
In order to pick up a student, parents and guardians will be required to have a photo ID and be listed in Skyward as eligible to pick up the student.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
At the threshold to the burial chamber there are carvings of two human figures holding various artifacts in their hands, who may have been the guardians of the tomb, according to the INAH.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Parents, guardians and others can also contribute up to $5,000 annually until children turn 18 years old.
—Jessica Dickler,kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
With guardians present, detectives discussed the earlier assault and took the three juveniles into custody.
—Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal, 28 Jan. 2026
Apparently, the Meyers in Long Beach were ruled unfit as guardians, or Lynn refused to go back to them, so juvenile authorities located some blood relatives, possibly her father or half sister, and put her on a train back East.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
They were returned and reunited with their legal guardians, the rep added.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
But the editors and unpaid reviewers who act as guardians of the scientific literature are newly besieged.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardians
Noun
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The first move by its latest custodians was a $NZ 25 million (approximately $14 million) makeover for the famed lodge.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Your Kansas tax dollars pay for salaries of state employees, from university chancellors and aerospace researchers to prison guards and custodians.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The siblings have different personalities, according to their keepers; Xiao Xiao is timid while his sister Lei Lei is fearless and adapts to changes quickly.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Starting Saturday night, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore will be staffed by skeleton crews of keepers, veterinarians, and animal commissary workers who prepare animals’ diets in a large, restaurant-grade kitchen.—
Lorraine Mirabella,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Excitement for young defenders in Year 2 The Panthers’ 2025 draft class has earned rave reviews over the past several months.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
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The 24-year-old succeeds against all three levels of the pass defense, blocks well against defensive backs and even front-seven defenders and runs for yards off jet-motion touches, screens and downfield passes.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That in turn, these scientists say, drives the need for more, rather than less, research, because over the long term, COVID could have significant economic and societal implications, such as higher health care costs and more demands on social programs and caregivers.—
Stephanie Armour,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
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CareYaya, a social enterprise founded in 2022 by North Carolina native Neal Shah, employs college students in North Carolina and across the country as caregivers for seniors.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Egg rushes to retrieve Dunk, who finds Aerion and his men destroying the puppet show, with Aerion even breaking Tanselle’s fingers, causing Dunk to snap and start beating on the prince before the guards are able to restrain him.—
Derek Lawrence,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2026
-
And maybe one of our guards would raise his hand.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Over two dozen parents of students at Liam's school, Valley View Elementary, have been detained, Principal Jason Kuhlman said Friday in an interview, leaving children without their caretakers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
-
And, at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, animal caretakers brought heat lamps in to keep the parrots warm and the flamingos buried their heads under their wings.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some screen protectors can also dampen whatever color benefits CoE tech produces.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Because both operate better as income protectors versus income producers, experts recommend limiting the precious metal portion of your portfolio to a maximum of 10%.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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 4 Feb. 2026.
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