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
Robotic grid guardians Power utilities in southwestern China are using robotic snakes to inspect power lines, showcasing a new approach to infrastructure monitoring in environments where drones face limitations.
—
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
In places where the program is active, parents and legal guardians who are verified riders can create accounts for teens.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Two teenagers were detained during the evening and later released to their guardians.
—Ben Wheeler
june 9, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
The bill also encourages private professional guardians to meet with the allegedly disabled adult prior to being appointed to the case or as soon as is feasible.
—Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
The center, at an undisclosed location, also serves as a reunification spot for children and their guardians.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 June 2026
Family court guardians are intended to act as neutral investigators.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
But those still remaining at Southbury — along with their families and guardians — have wanted to remain in their longtime homes on the campus.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2025
In October 2020, the couple petitioned to be permanent guardians of one of their daughter's friends after being granted temporary guardianship earlier that year.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
In places where the program is active, parents and legal guardians who are verified riders can create accounts for teens.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Two teenagers were detained during the evening and later released to their guardians.
—Ben Wheeler
june 9, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
The bill also encourages private professional guardians to meet with the allegedly disabled adult prior to being appointed to the case or as soon as is feasible.
—Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
The center, at an undisclosed location, also serves as a reunification spot for children and their guardians.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 June 2026
Family court guardians are intended to act as neutral investigators.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
But those still remaining at Southbury — along with their families and guardians — have wanted to remain in their longtime homes on the campus.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2025
In October 2020, the couple petitioned to be permanent guardians of one of their daughter's friends after being granted temporary guardianship earlier that year.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardians
Noun
-
The college currently consists of 11 officers of arms, who undertake the genealogical research and act as custodians of the records.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
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Obama stopped by the Jackson Park facility to hear personal stories from custodians, security guards, visitor services staffers, and more.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Former keepers who visited on May 13 said the 2-year-old has bonded with surrogate mother Fredrika and developed a playful, mischievous personality.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
-
Neither Abrams or Marte are going to be my keepers.—
Eno Sarris,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
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The Vikings mixed him in with some of the second-team defenders during minicamp.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Moussouris wrote that the capabilities Fable displayed using the Amazon technique, while potentially useful to attackers, were also vital for cyber defenders.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Noun
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The following day, Seattle mayor Katie Wilson said 1,400 free tickets would be made available to local children and caregivers.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
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And there's a little something for parents and caregivers as well—all-new music from The Backstreet Boys!—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Former detainees held at Camp East Montana detailed consistent abuses by guards in interviews with the USA TODAY Network, echoing allegations raised in the lawsuit.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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After seven months, Rohde and his interpreter escaped a compound where they were being kept by waiting for the guards to sleep and then using a rope to scale down the wall.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Noun
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For this reason, healthcare providers and family members or other caretakers are the most likely to contract it.—
Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
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This knowledge could help Ötzi’s caretakers keep the body well preserved into the future and enable other researchers to do the same for other frozen biological discoveries.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The first dogs served as early-warning systems, protectors, and hunting buddies.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
10 June 2026
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The Thunder’s perimeter defense sometimes feels impenetrable and is anchored on the back line by Chet Holmgren, one of the best rim protectors in basketball.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Guardians.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guardians. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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