as in protecting
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as in defense
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guarding
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
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Limited rib mobility interferes with the ability to breathe deeply, triggering your body’s stress response, which increases muscle tensing as a guarding mechanism.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
The unidentified man, who is a French national born in 1978, allegedly tried to attack an officer guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and was shot by another officer.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The Celtics’ Josh Minott, who had been guarding George, goes under the screen, leaving Sarr with space for an open stepback 3-pointer.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Sid’s usually guarding the ball handler, and Addy’s on the wing.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Plowden, who has appeared in four games this season, was asked about guarding Leonard, who went 9 of 19 from the field and 1 of 4 from 3-point range.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Mercury is in your sign, squaring breakthrough Uranus in your 4th House of Roots, challenging you to consider new ideas while guarding your foundations.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Harmon, who took to guarding Chavez like a hungry piranha coming off a fast, still wore her game face in postgame.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
He is known to be a tough-nosed defender capable of guarding four-to-five positions on the court.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Limited rib mobility interferes with the ability to breathe deeply, triggering your body’s stress response, which increases muscle tensing as a guarding mechanism.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
The unidentified man, who is a French national born in 1978, allegedly tried to attack an officer guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and was shot by another officer.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The Celtics’ Josh Minott, who had been guarding George, goes under the screen, leaving Sarr with space for an open stepback 3-pointer.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Sid’s usually guarding the ball handler, and Addy’s on the wing.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Plowden, who has appeared in four games this season, was asked about guarding Leonard, who went 9 of 19 from the field and 1 of 4 from 3-point range.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Mercury is in your sign, squaring breakthrough Uranus in your 4th House of Roots, challenging you to consider new ideas while guarding your foundations.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Harmon, who took to guarding Chavez like a hungry piranha coming off a fast, still wore her game face in postgame.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarding
Noun
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Over the past decade, member states of the European Union – of which the UK is not a member – have already doubled their defense expenditures, but more spending is needed, the defense chiefs argued.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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This shift enables reactive defense systems, such as satellite hulls that intentionally heat to harden against incoming micrometeorite impacts.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The staff acts as almost a mini-military– serving and protecting this metaphorical anti-war, positive energy force field.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Despite state and local laws restricting law enforcement from assisting immigration enforcement, California and San Diego agencies continue to work with the federal government on task forces aimed at combating cross-border crime and protecting public safety.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump last year pardoned several people convicted for blockading clinics.—
Josh Funk,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
But our ability to strangle off and keep the chokehold on the Venezuelan regime keeps that fleet blockading Venezuela.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That the Big Apple was owned by Mora and his wife, who was Black, provided a level of protection that activists found in rare supply.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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The thick wedge heel makes these a perfect day-to-night boot, and to top it off, they’re crafted from a water-repellent upper for protection from the elements.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Olympics soon will be without Sweden’s defending champion men’s team, which was officially eliminated from semifinal contention on Tuesday after a sixth loss in seven matches in round-robin play.—
Steve Douglas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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The Riverside native and Santa Monica High graduate went on to win five consecutive fights defending her title and becoming a global superstar along the way.—
Brian Martin,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The long procession of protestors placed prayer ribbons on the fence barricading crowds from the building.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
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The three individuals then ran back into the apartment building, barricading themselves inside, the agency said.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Huntley is also part of a nearly 100-strong WhatsApp community of Newcastle academy alumni, which is regularly updated by Julie Smith, the safeguarding and wellbeing manager.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 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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Painter questioned whether the administration is releasing files that only implicate Democrats while shielding Republicans.—
Joseph Shapiro,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Board members have also signed non-disclosure agreements, previously shielding almost all of the process from public view.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guarding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guarding. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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