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

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 The guards on the German side see no point in firing as, in the distance, the men plod through the snow to freedom. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026 Although Amentum was not the camp’s primary contractor at the time an Associated Press investigation was published in March, detainees reported being underfed and in fear of brutal guards. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 None of the guards looked more intimidating than their charge. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 An attendee at the Methodist service, Margaret Coombes, picked out Betchley at an ID parade — but one of the guards, Frank Hudson, identified a different individual from the same line-up. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 July 2026 After spending the offseason dedicating himself to succeeding in the weight room, a visibly stronger Richard was an impassable brick wall against the summer league guards. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 17 July 2026 The returning players are guards Mikey Williams, Arman Madi, Romari Robinson, Taj Glover and Zach Anderson. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

Verb

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 Morena Baccarin plays The Sorceress, a mysterious being who guards Greyskull Castle. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 6 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

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

Curry’s name resides alongside that of his hopeful future teammate, LeBron James, as this generation’s two strongest locks for enshrinement into basketball immortality.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Measures could include reducing groundwater pumping and operating river locks less frequently, to limit saltwater flowing in.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of locks

Noun

And yet, when fate brings us together with someone in a completely unexpected way, our defenses collapse.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 23 July 2026
The incident also suggests that cybersecurity defenses designed to stop human hackers may be outmatched by AI agents capable of searching for vulnerabilities and acting at machine speed.

— Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 23 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

Verb

Boise police will work with counsel and prosecutors to make sure enforcement is consistent, with the law and also protects people’s rights, spokesperson Haley Williams said.

— Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026
The administration’s proposal risks harming both the historic building and the system of reviews that protects structures like it.

— Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 24 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