as in protecting
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as in defense
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in defending
to drive danger or attack away from
guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blockading
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point
a fire-breathing dragon guarded the entrance to the castle
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of guarding
Randy Jennings, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The internet is obsessed with a giant dog trying to show his guarding skills against an unusual trespasser.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
Painful stiffness that varies dramatically in intensity based on stress levels, sleep quality or emotional state also suggests protective guarding.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Bartholomew was shot and killed inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital Saturday morning while guarding someone in custody.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Anunoby began the series primarily guarding 6-10 center Onyeka Okongwu, a shooting threat who thrives at the pick-and-pop.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
His defensive contributions have aided four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert’s efforts guarding Jokić, the three-time MVP, one-on-one.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Ukrainian military still maintains a presence at Chernobyl, closely guarding the infrastructure and protecting one of the main roads to Kyiv from another Russian assault.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Harshaw asked Drozd to order the federal agents guarding Mendoza Hernandez to allow him a half-hour meeting with his lawyer before transporting him again.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Being the harder-playing team and just guarding.
—Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
In the photos, Fillmore sits proudly on the grass guarding his home, and later poses with a firefighter.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
Carter’s 6-10 twin towers Jackson and junior Shaqere Kizzee clogged the middle defensively, forcing Kennedale to settle for 3-pointers or difficult jumpers against tight guarding.
—Randy Jennings, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The internet is obsessed with a giant dog trying to show his guarding skills against an unusual trespasser.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
Painful stiffness that varies dramatically in intensity based on stress levels, sleep quality or emotional state also suggests protective guarding.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
Even those were somewhat unlocked by Minnesota’s injuries; Johnson no longer had Edwards guarding him by Games 5 and 6, enabling Denver to attack a mismatch.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Bartholomew was shot and killed inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital Saturday morning while guarding someone in custody.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Anunoby began the series primarily guarding 6-10 center Onyeka Okongwu, a shooting threat who thrives at the pick-and-pop.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
His defensive contributions have aided four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert’s efforts guarding Jokić, the three-time MVP, one-on-one.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Ukrainian military still maintains a presence at Chernobyl, closely guarding the infrastructure and protecting one of the main roads to Kyiv from another Russian assault.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Harshaw asked Drozd to order the federal agents guarding Mendoza Hernandez to allow him a half-hour meeting with his lawyer before transporting him again.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Being the harder-playing team and just guarding.
—Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
In the photos, Fillmore sits proudly on the grass guarding his home, and later poses with a firefighter.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarding
Noun
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During her first two-plus seasons on the local stage in Lemont, Pontrelli has been a standout from her impressive offensive stats to her versatility on defense.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
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The Knicks also targeted the 7-footer on defense, repeatedly using pick-and-rolls to get Embiid matched up with point guard Jalen Brunson, who erupted for 35 points in 31 minutes.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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What truly mattered was protecting Britain’s trade with the European continent against French interference.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
That means fighting inflationary spending, protecting affordable energy, defending our borders, supporting farmers and ranchers, and expanding access to affordable healthcare, especially in rural communities.—
Kevin Fixler
May 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday, though, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf – who is leading negotiations for Tehran and has emerged as the key voice of the Iranian government – ridiculed the notion of blockading Iran, pointing to the country’s extensive land and maritime borders.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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The al-Qaida linked JNIM group — Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin — has expanded in recent years, seizing vast swaths of territory and recently blockading off Bamako from fuel shipments.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On almost any other night, being without Town’s playmaking or Robinson’s rim protection and rebounding dominance would tank the Knicks.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
Which means all the due process protections afforded to defendants in criminal courts do not necessarily apply to non-citizens facing deportation.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Just as significantly, Anunoby spent much of Tuesday night defending Jalen Johnson, the resurgent Hawks’ only All-Star, who finished with a modest 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Then Quentin Davie, the new coach of defending champion Hebron Christian and a close friend, called with an opportunity to join his staff.—
Jack Leo,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After barricading himself in a home for over an hour Friday morning, Abugharbieh eventually surrendered to police wearing only a towel, as seen on aerial video of the incident.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The 26-year-old former student surrendered Friday after barricading himself in his family home during a domestic violence call.—
Holly Ramer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Our Safer Sport department has embedded safeguarding and player care at the heart of the academy experience.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Executives and boards need to realize that choices made about the gathering, storing, and safeguarding of data have a direct impact on the risk and reputation of the company.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In another, Hurst snapped a picture of a man sleeping rough on a slab of cardboard, one arm shielding his eyes from the sun, and the other pulling up his shirt suggestively.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The evolving dynamic was on full display outside the Supreme Court on April 27, when a group of activists protested a case about shielding pesticide companies from cancer lawsuits.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guarding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guarding. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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