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

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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

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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

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 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, Fortune, 15 July 2026 Police charged nine minors with curfew violations and 10 parents and guardians for contributing. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026 All of these titles were chosen based on parental and guardians’ reports of the subjects’ favorite programs. — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 At seven months old, Foxx’s grandparents, Estelle and Mark Talley, took in Foxx and became his primary guardians. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026 For foster children, states would be opening their accounts as legal guardians. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 10 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardians

Noun

American Alternative Assets works with several custodians — including Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, Kingdom Trust, GoldStar Trust and Madison Trust — each with its own fee schedule.

— Javier Simon, USA Today, 16 July 2026
The union represents over 250,000 classified public school employees, like bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, para-educators, clerical staff and campus security guards.

— Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 July 2026

Definition of custodians

Noun

Special high-flow racing cylinder heads feature CNC porting, competition valves, springs, seats and keepers designed to work with new high-lift/duration cams.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
The alligator that became a sensation in Chicago after turning up in a Humboldt Park lagoon last month is healthy and enjoying the good life in sunny Florida, keepers at his new home said.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Definition of keepers

Noun

Below, Nico O’Reilly is on the goal line at the far post, away from the eye line of the opposition defenders, who are preoccupied with his team-mates.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Despite handwringing from the powers that be, genre defenders argued that was a literary history behind Sky of Love and its contemporaries.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of defenders

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

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — Game wardens, rescue boat teams and helicopters with hoist capability to assist with water rescues.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Exceptions include their use by police officers or animal wardens in an official capacity, at an archery club or paintball gun club, at a public or private range designed for that purpose, or to protect human life or property.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026