GUARDS Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

guards 1 of 2

noun

plural of guard

as in wardens

a person or group that watches over someone or something checked in with the security guard at the gate

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as in defensives

a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack be on your guard against snakes in the swamp

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offensives

as in locks

a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain

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as in defenses

means or method of defending the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard

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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

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as in defenders

someone that protects a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

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guards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of guard

as in protects

to drive danger or attack away from guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

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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

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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 guards

Noun

Ukrainian border guards patrol the area around the clock using armored vehicles, drones and other surveillance systems. — ABC News, 25 July 2026 The fan guards in the walk-in cooler was encrusted with residue. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 24, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026 The pair are said to have exchanged shoves and throws before prison guards were able to separate them. — Cheyenne Roundtree, VIBE.com, 24 July 2026 Occhicone has difficulties hearing, seeing, and walking, to the point that guards have to help him in and out of the shower and up and down stairs, according to court records filed by his lawyers. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 24 July 2026 General manager Dan Morgan was busy, making moves to upgrade both the offensive and defensive fronts, adding veteran guards in Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Mitchell finished third among guards in the fan portion of WNBA All-Star voting and ninth overall with 665,377 votes. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 Cots, bottle warmers, bottle sterilizing tablets, and bed guards are offered, as well as babysitting services, swimming lessons, complimentary non-motorized water sports, and blended baby food especially prepared by the chef. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 On Saturday, Reeve commended the team’s centers but found the guards struggling to make anything work on the defensive end. — Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026

Verb

The slight dogleg to the right tempts players to take an aggressive line off the tee, but an expansive waste bunker guards the shortcut and punishes any miscalculation. — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 According to Perseus Digital Library, which translates Greek and Roman mythology to English, some writers refer to Cerberus as the hound that guards the gates of Hades, where the dog allows people to enter, but never lets them out. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Border Patrol guards entry points near the Rio Grande, and Hartman says agents rely on technology to detect movement inside the underground network. — Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 Angel Reese and Dream guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray are among those voted as reserves by the league’s 15 head coaches. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 8 July 2026 Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic. — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 The device in your pocket that pays for your coffee, unlocks your front door, and holds the second factor that guards everything else. — Ryan Pettit, Time, 7 July 2026 The 6-foot-9 Haugh stretches defenses with his shooting, attacks the rim, thrives in transition and guards multiple positions. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026 Trailing 104-97, Knicks guards Jose Alvarado and Brunson answered with back-to-back 3s, cutting the score to 104-103. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 11 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards

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

Definition of wardens

Noun

Mannequin heads stare at you through the storefront window, each topped with a wildly unique hairpiece – one with long, curly, bubblegum pink locks; another with a bright orange bob.

— USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Both versions are expected to include FaceTime, music playback, calendar access, photo viewing, intercom functionality and smart home controls, allowing users to manage connected devices such as speakers, locks and other accessories.

— Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of locks

Noun

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 258 Ukrainian drones overnight.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
The new aircraft is expected to cost less than $30 million per unit while offering greater flexibility and survivability in modern conflicts, where large, expensive drones have become increasingly vulnerable to advanced air defenses.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026

Definition of defenses

Noun

Increasingly, however, these influencers are guides, companions, cultural interpreters, and trusted sources of information in an age of rock-bottom trust in public institutions.

— Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
In the paper, the authors encourage anyone able to observe the impact to give it a try—and point to guides to help amateurs.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 July 2026

Definition of guides

Noun

In a fairly standard IDP league (two starters at defensive lineman, linebacker, defensive back and maybe a flex spot), top defenders will usually start being drafted in Rounds 4-6.

— Gary Davenport, New York Times, 27 July 2026
As a result, defenders must prepare for a world where vulnerabilities are exploited at machine speed.

— Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of defenders

Verb

Health information collected by wearables and consumer apps does not fall under HIPAA, the federal law that protects records held by hospitals, doctors and insurers.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Consistently high-quality sleep protects a leader’s judgment, temperament, and emotional regulation.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of protects

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