Synonyms of guards

guards 1 of 2

noun

plural of guard

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

• wardens
• custodians
• keepers
• guardians
• sentinels
• bodyguards
• sentries
• warders
• patrols
• pickets
• watchmen
• defenders
• watches
• watchers
• observers
• minders
• lookouts
• escorts
• spotters
• convoys
• watchdogs
• gatekeepers
• surveillants
• honor guards
• hacks

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

• defensives
• lookouts
• watches
• alerts
• qui vives

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• offensives

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

• locks
• shields
• safeties
• defenses
• safeguards
• protections
• fail-safes

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

• defenses
• safeguards
• shields
• protections
• walls
• ammunitions
• weapons
• screens
• wards
• securities
• bucklers
• armors
• armaments
• covers
• arms
• munitions
• fortresses
• aegises
• forts
• strongholds
• palisades
• weaponries

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacks
• offenses
• assaults
• aggressions
• offensives

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

• guides
• attendants
• escorts
• companions
• leaders
• shadows
• pilots
• squires
• conductors
• convoys
• sidekicks
• chaperones
• couriers
• outriders
• honor guards

6

as in defenders

someone that protects

a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defenders
• guardians
• protectors
• custodians
• bodyguards
• protections
• guardian angels
• keepers
• sentries
• champions
• warders
• sentinels
• wardens
• watchmen
• watches
• preservers
• watchdogs
• savers
• lookouts
• harborers
• conservers

guards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of guard

1

as in protects

to drive danger or attack away from

guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protects
• defends
• shields
• safeguards
• fences
• wards
• fends
• keeps
• screens
• bulwarks
• secures
• prevents
• saves
• forfends
• covers
• stands up for
• resists
• wars
• walls
• preserves
• opposes
• withstands
• fights
• averts
• conserves
• contends
• battles
• buffers
• pickets
• palisades

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacks
• assaults
• assails
• storms
• overruns
• bombards
• submits
• besets
• yields
• besieges
• caves
• capitulates

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

• blockades
• gates
• barricades
• locks
• bars
• walls (off)
• blocks (off)
• closes (off)
• fences
• obstructs
• curtains (off)
• hedges
• dikes
• screens (off)
• bolts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opens
• unbars
• reopens
• unbolts
• unblocks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of guards

Noun

The Earl of Nithsdale broke out of the Tower of London by dressing as a lady-in-waiting and slipping past the guards. — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

Unfortunately, the less said about China’s guards, the better; their main job is to get the ball past half court without turning it over and then feed the bigs. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Gray was a pivotal piece in the 2022 victory at the World Cup, but Young, despite being one of the best guards in the WNBA today, wasn’t on the squad. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

On a recent weekday morning at the ferry terminal, Kucera's guards answered passengers' questions and provided directions. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026

Critical Response Strategies is one of the private contractors that was hired by the state to provide guards to oversee the detention center. — Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

The suit also alleges that the nightclub’s owners failed to properly train and control guards. — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

Three of the jail guards sustained minor injuries and scratches, Bland said. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Health officials also advised residents to place draft guards underneath doors, make sure exterior doors closed tightly and keep doors and unscreened windows closed, especially while sleeping. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Anthropic closely guards its training data sources, but music publishers think the court should require more transparency. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Liberty guards Marine Johannes and Pauline Astier are both looking forward to the opportunity to represent France during the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup tournament. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

Rookie guards Tonie Morgan, a former developmental player who signed a standard contract recently, and Chance Gray, the team’s second-round draft pick, both added eight points each. — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026

Hal Jordan is the chief Green Lantern of planet Earth at this time, part of an intergalactic policing organization that guards sectors of the cosmos. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, on the neighboring field, Purdy had finished his initial reps by the time the 49ers’ offense, particularly guards Robert Jones and Dominick Puni, got into a scrum with the Titans. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Shrine guards flick sticks with ostrich feathers at female pilgrims lingering too long in the shade to try to keep the flow of people moving. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

The caterpillar even guards the wasp’s cocoons before eventually dying. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026

There’s this belief in the NFL that the more a player thinks about injuries, guards themselves to prevent them, the more they are destined to happen. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026