1
as in wardens
a person or group that watches over someone or something
checked in with the security guard at the gate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in defensives
a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack
be on your guard against snakes in the swamp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in locks
a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation
slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in defenses
means or method of defending
the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in guides
one that accompanies another for protection, guidance, or as a courtesy
the honor guards raised their sabers as the happy couple descended the church steps
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in defenders
someone that protects
a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from
guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blockades
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guards
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
He is known for his corner offense, which featured two big men at each side of the free throw line, an offense that would spread the floor and allow guards and wings to cut and flow to the corners.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Armed guards patrolled federal buildings; machine-gun-toting snipers perched on rooftops.
—Sarita Gupta, Time, 2 June 2026
Prior to that, a different company provided armed guards while PSS provided unarmed guards for a couple of years.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Who wins is never really in doubt, nor does Levinson milk much tension out of the extended sequence (despite multiple armed guards surrounding Ali pretty much the whole time).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 June 2026
Abraham Lincoln posted guards outside, but inside they were dressed in civilian clothes and hid their firearms.
—Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
And that’s like four guards and one great player and putting Bam (Adebayo) in the middle.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
There is nothing more nightmarish for us Syrians than to be locked up again in the very prisons where so many thousands of us have died; for our mothers and fathers to have to return to the same doorsteps, to plead tearfully with the guards, to wait for a word, a rumor, a lie.
—Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026
John Hollinger, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Fellow Warriors guards De’Anthony Melton (player option) and Seth Curry could also be on the market, as their team faces an uncertain future of building around Seth’s brother.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Last night, guards De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper combined to score only 14 points on 5-of-20 shooting.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 27 May 2026
Cleveland’s offense should wake up at home James Harden and Cavaliers guards Max Strus and Sam Merrill should be more comfortable in their home gym.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
However, former Sparks guards Sykes (7), Mabrey (6), and Nurse (5) combined for 18 points early.
—John Davis, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Among them, Musselman brought in Aussie stretch big Joshua Hughes from Evansville, wing/forward Jadis Jones from Lindenwood and guards Isaac Bruns from South Dakota and Aaron Hunkin-Claytor from Hawaii.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Forgetting also guards your emotional health.
—Gabrielle Principe, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
The property got its start as a villa and still guards that intimate, private feel while providing thoughtful hotel amenities like a gym, a yoga deck, and in-room spa services.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
Liveried guards greet you at the grand entrance and breeze through ‘hello’ in any number of languages.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
He is known for his corner offense, which featured two big men at each side of the free throw line, an offense that would spread the floor and allow guards and wings to cut and flow to the corners.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Armed guards patrolled federal buildings; machine-gun-toting snipers perched on rooftops.
—Sarita Gupta, Time, 2 June 2026
Prior to that, a different company provided armed guards while PSS provided unarmed guards for a couple of years.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Who wins is never really in doubt, nor does Levinson milk much tension out of the extended sequence (despite multiple armed guards surrounding Ali pretty much the whole time).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 June 2026
Abraham Lincoln posted guards outside, but inside they were dressed in civilian clothes and hid their firearms.
—Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
And that’s like four guards and one great player and putting Bam (Adebayo) in the middle.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
There is nothing more nightmarish for us Syrians than to be locked up again in the very prisons where so many thousands of us have died; for our mothers and fathers to have to return to the same doorsteps, to plead tearfully with the guards, to wait for a word, a rumor, a lie.
—Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026
Verb
Of course, that assumes Wembanyama guards Towns.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Fellow Warriors guards De’Anthony Melton (player option) and Seth Curry could also be on the market, as their team faces an uncertain future of building around Seth’s brother.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Last night, guards De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper combined to score only 14 points on 5-of-20 shooting.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 27 May 2026
Cleveland’s offense should wake up at home James Harden and Cavaliers guards Max Strus and Sam Merrill should be more comfortable in their home gym.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
However, former Sparks guards Sykes (7), Mabrey (6), and Nurse (5) combined for 18 points early.
—John Davis, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Among them, Musselman brought in Aussie stretch big Joshua Hughes from Evansville, wing/forward Jadis Jones from Lindenwood and guards Isaac Bruns from South Dakota and Aaron Hunkin-Claytor from Hawaii.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Forgetting also guards your emotional health.
—Gabrielle Principe, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
The property got its start as a villa and still guards that intimate, private feel while providing thoughtful hotel amenities like a gym, a yoga deck, and in-room spa services.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
There remains a rotation underway – financials over tech , value over growth , defensives over high-beta stocks – simply not enough to hold the indexes harmless.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Kerry Washington makes a chic appearance in a long wavy locks and a camel skirt co-ord at the screening and Q&A for Django Unchained in Los Angeles on May 29.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
Gomez donned her go-to rich chocolate locks while posing backstage in an Elizabethan-style dress and taking photos on a bridge with the London Eye and Big Ben in the background.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps alarmingly, the city’s air defenses appeared to be less active during the final wave of Russian strikes on Tuesday morning, with CNN producers hearing ongoing explosions, but not the sound of counter-systems firing.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Or that Texas Tech, in Lubbock, winds up with one of the best defenses in the country without NIL?—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The group closely manages its propaganda and marketing with several guides that members must strictly adhere to.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
Outfitters booked hunts for 30 or 40 days and sent the hunters out with a full staff of Indian guides, cooks, and wranglers.—
Anton Money,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
On the plus side, both were in attendance at Thursday’s practice, looking to again become top-tier defenders for the Bears in 2026.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
When defenders rely on recognition and attackers design artifacts to be single-use, the advantage shifts.—
Ken Ammon,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Structure protects relationships by establishing expectations before they are needed.—
Sharon Olson,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Reaching out to a reputable debt relief professional while the account is still in collections, rather than in court, gives you more time to find a resolution that protects your income.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
There's no question that the United States has a credible threat of force, but the blockade really blockades ourselves as well as Iran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
As the United States military blockades the Strait of Hormuz fuel prices rose above $100 dollars a barrel.—
Contessa Brewer,Dawn Giel,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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