guards 1 of 2

Definition of guardsnext
plural of guard
1
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
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

guards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of guard

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
Kennard, Smart fined Kennard and Smart were fined by the NBA for inappropriate conduct toward game officials, the league announced Monday, after the Lakers guards were involved in a postgame dust-up near midcourt on Sunday. Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 Categories covered by this author include home warranty, gutter guards, pest control, mattresses, roofing, car warranty, home insurance, car insurance, weight loss and hair loss. Alora Bopray, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 Those named included civilian employees, school safety officers, traffic enforcement officers and crossing guards. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026 Experts recommend covering up with clothing, rash guards, hats and shade. ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026 The lugs and crown guards are decorated with yet more diamonds. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2026 Rivera testified that when the Colombian commandos arrived at the president’s home, Moïse’s guards threw down their weapons. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026 The Kansas Jayhawks may have picked up one of the best guards in the transfer portal Monday morning. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026 The guards corroborated the brothers’ stories, again, and again. Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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 Washington might consider restoring the Fulbright Program, and work on better coordination between the US State Department, which issues visas, and Homeland Security, which guards entry points. Andy Browne, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026 In 2019, the height of the rebuild, the Dolphins, who finished 5-11, started five rookies — wide receiver Preston Williams, guards Deiter and Shaq Calhoun, defensive end Wilkins and cornerback Nik Needham. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026 The Sparks are pushing to contend for a playoff spot this season after bringing back veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike and guards Ariel Atkins and Wheeler to build one of their deepest rosters in years. Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026 Despite Punch’s departure, TCU was successful in retaining most of its core from the tournament run with All-Big 12 forward Xavier Edmonds, sophomore forward Micah Robinson and guards Brock Harding and Tanner Toolson all announcing their intentions to return to Fort Worth next season. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026 Miller joins a young core in Connecticut built around the team’s trio of first-round draftees from the last two seasons — forward Aneesah Morrow and guards Saniya Rivers and Leila Lacan. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026 The medication aboard Artemis II is the same as the types found in grocery stores, and features a protective coating that guards it against corrosive stomach acid. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026 Then Badgers guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd, who had fueled a February upset of the Illini, took over. Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 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
  • This updo can handle the thickest and longest of locks, which is not an easy feat.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
  • The popular summertime formula works on all hair types and leaves locks smooth, soft and easy to brush.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Russian air defenses shot down 347 Ukrainian drones overnight, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Thursday, in what appeared to be a major attack after Moscow spurned Kyiv’s ceasefire earlier in the week and tension mounted over safety at Russia’s upcoming Victory Day celebrations.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • The forward was a nightmare for opposing defenses, finishing the year with 30 goals and nine assists, including five crucial playoff goals.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • An unstable ice block delayed Mount Everest’s climbing season until late April, yet around 464 climbers and their guides remain determined despite the danger and soaring permit costs.
    Binaj Gurubacharya, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • The service Service is warm and efficient, with a concierge team available to set you up with guides to take you around Istanbul’s many great sites, including the Grand Bazaar, a cavernous and overwhelming shopping experience that benefits greatly from some inside knowledge.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Embiid’s aggressiveness early — along with Tyrese Maxey’s speed and ability to put defenders in bad positions — put the Knicks in unfavorable foul trouble early.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
  • Brown was called for 10 offensive fouls — most of them push-offs against Philadelphia 76ers defenders — in the Celtics’ seven-game first-round series, which ended Saturday with a 109-100 loss at TD Garden.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray protects hair from heat damage caused by curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
  • Ticket to Work protects beneficiaries during their transition.
    French Hill, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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