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
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
For homeowners who want to minimize ongoing gutter work, guards represent a practical investment.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Others eligible to return include guards Lefteris Liotopoulos, Kelvin Odih and Casper Pohto, as well as forward Imran Suljanovic, who missed his entire freshman season due to a patella injury.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
The Wolverines depend heavily on sophomore guards Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway, and second-year transfer Brooke Quarles Daniels.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The audio tour, narrated by former guards and inmates, is genuinely gripping for older kids.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
The Blue Devils were out-muscling the Bruins and using their size to establish an advantage inside against UCLA’s lineup with four guards.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Stipends and guards are temporary dressings on a chronic wound.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
At first, the guards wouldn’t allow me any books.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Sophomore guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell, both sophomores, emerged as reliable college rotation players in 2025-26.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Trailing by one with under a minute to go, James burst from the low block, diving like Superman across the court for a loose ball rebound, beating Nuggets guards Christian Braun and Jamal Murray to the ball to force a tie up.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Sierra Canyon sophomore guards Jordan Mize and JJ Sati-Grier scored 11 points each, and Sati-Grier had 10 assists.
—Steve Fryer, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Jets lost linebacker Quincy Williams, guards Vera-Tucker and John Simpson and kicker Nick Folk.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Swain runs the offense, guards every position and is the one player who cannot afford to have a bad night at the office, lest the Horns will get blown out in most instances.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Miami guards Gal Raviv and Amarachi Kimpson each scored 20.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
An Austin police officer guards the scene on West 6th Street at West Avenue after a shooting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
—Brian Dakss, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
Consider installing gutter guards or screens, which help block debris from entering while still allowing water through.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
For homeowners who want to minimize ongoing gutter work, guards represent a practical investment.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Others eligible to return include guards Lefteris Liotopoulos, Kelvin Odih and Casper Pohto, as well as forward Imran Suljanovic, who missed his entire freshman season due to a patella injury.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
The Wolverines depend heavily on sophomore guards Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway, and second-year transfer Brooke Quarles Daniels.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The audio tour, narrated by former guards and inmates, is genuinely gripping for older kids.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
The Blue Devils were out-muscling the Bruins and using their size to establish an advantage inside against UCLA’s lineup with four guards.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Stipends and guards are temporary dressings on a chronic wound.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
At first, the guards wouldn’t allow me any books.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
Dilley faces mounting scrutiny from immigration lawyers and advocates, who say children have struggled emotionally and physically in an environment where lights remain on around the clock and guards patrol.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Sophomore guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell, both sophomores, emerged as reliable college rotation players in 2025-26.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Trailing by one with under a minute to go, James burst from the low block, diving like Superman across the court for a loose ball rebound, beating Nuggets guards Christian Braun and Jamal Murray to the ball to force a tie up.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Sierra Canyon sophomore guards Jordan Mize and JJ Sati-Grier scored 11 points each, and Sati-Grier had 10 assists.
—Steve Fryer, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Jets lost linebacker Quincy Williams, guards Vera-Tucker and John Simpson and kicker Nick Folk.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Swain runs the offense, guards every position and is the one player who cannot afford to have a bad night at the office, lest the Horns will get blown out in most instances.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Miami guards Gal Raviv and Amarachi Kimpson each scored 20.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
An Austin police officer guards the scene on West 6th Street at West Avenue after a shooting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
—Brian Dakss, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
-
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
-
Armas said the prison wardens never switched off the lights.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
20 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
-
Of the seven - Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Robinson, Trusty and Tim Weah - only Robinson and Richards seem like locks for serious minutes at defender in the World Cup.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2026
-
His wife, Kendra, was arrested for child endangerment and false imprisonment after investigators discovered exterior door locks in their Arkansas home during a separate inquiry.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Tehran has also been moving troops and air defenses to Kharg Island in preparation for a possible US operation to take control of it, according to people familiar with US intelligence reporting.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Even as air raid sirens blared at least four times throughout this morning in central Israel, the country’s military insisted that its air defenses remain formidable and that the waves of Iranian missile attacks are growing less effective.—
Rebecca Shabad,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The guides went back to fishing.—
Bob McNally,
Outdoor Life,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With the Heat continuing to play small, Siakam was able to shoot over smaller defenders, including an easy jumper over Davion Mitchell, who’s eight inches shorter at an even six feet.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
With key Pistons defenders like Ausar Thompson (ankle), Cade Cunningham (lung), and Isaiah Stewart (calf) sidelined or doubtful, Gilgeous-Alexander has a prime opportunity to exploit the matchup.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Proponents say the bill addresses a shortage of foster homes in Missouri and protects religious freedom.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
If someone pushes you to rush, keep your tone measured and propose a reasonable deadline that protects quality and keeps expectations aligned.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His death sparked civil unrest in Puerto Vallarta and more than a dozen Mexican states, including Quintana Roo, with cars set on fire and blockades obstructing highways.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Road blockades, traffic slowdowns and other protests were widespread – from the southern port city of Marseille to Lille and Caen in the north, and from Nantes and Rennes in the west to Grenoble and Lyon in the southeast.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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