guards 1 of 2

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

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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
The 2026 class has been considered one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory, headlined by a quartet of generational one-and-dones as well as explosive guards and elite veteran forwards. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 24 June 2026 After the top four picks, the draft was considered wide open with a logjam of talented guards. Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026 After his release from prison, Landor sued the individual prison guards for money damages under a federal law enacted by Congress to protect the religious rights of prisoners. Nina Totenberg, NPR, 23 June 2026 Abruptly, he was stripped of power, escorted out by guards and — in Soviet style — was written out of Columbia’s history. Chet Flippo, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026 However, there are a lot of good guards in this draft -- Peterson, Acuff, Wagler, Mikel Brown, Brayden Burries. David Troy, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026 Offensive linemen, particularly guards, don’t get the same notoriety as other positions. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026 But two weeks before Harris accepted the nomination, Israeli media aired footage of guards appearing to rape a Palestinian prisoner. Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 The pressure extended off the ball too with San Antonio guards denying entry passes to their opponents — especially Brunson. Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Verb
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 The Wolverines signed two other top-50 prospects in forwards Quinn Costello and Lincoln Cosby, plus guards Joseph Hartman and Malachi Brown and center Marcus Moller, a 7-foot-3 prospect from Denmark. Austin Meek, New York Times, 23 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 Cleveland’s offense should wake up at home James Harden and Cavaliers guards Max Strus and Sam Merrill should be more comfortable in their home gym. Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026 However, former Sparks guards Sykes (7), Mabrey (6), and Nurse (5) combined for 18 points early. John Davis, Daily News, 18 May 2026 Among them, Musselman brought in Aussie stretch big Joshua Hughes from Evansville, wing/forward Jadis Jones from Lindenwood and guards Isaac Bruns from South Dakota and Aaron Hunkin-Claytor from Hawaii. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
  • The juvenile bear’s wander across campus late Thursday and early Friday prompted an advisory to students and a search by UC Davis police and wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as Yolo County Animal Control.
    Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
  • 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
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
  • Really Simple Licensing is pushing for an open standard before any single company locks in the rules.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • And rosemary and coconut oils soothe the scalp and leave locks softer and shinier.
    Dana Oliver, Parents, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Fast, generalized defenses reduce exposure early, while slower, specialized mechanisms deliver precision when the threat is novel, persistent or evasive.
    Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The incursions showed drone defenses in Europe need to rapidly be improved, the IISS said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • The app also offers travel guides and organizes your daily itinerary, keeping all your plans in one place.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Sheridan bought several travel guides to different countries for research, and the duo got to work.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Galarza sent a cross to Enciso, who was unmarked by Germany's defenders and easily headed it past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
    Kyle Hightower, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • The ringleader is Virgil van Dijk, one of the best defenders of his generation with Liverpool, who has captained the Oranje for a national record 72 appearances and represented the Dutch national team for a decade.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The roof’s steep metal surface not only protects the home from cold winds, but creates enough height for an additional sleeping loft.
    Bridget Borgobello July 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
  • Colorado currently protects the right of transgender student-athletes to compete on school and collegiate sports teams that align with their gender identity.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 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 5 Jul. 2026.

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