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
ABC News, 21 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
This isn’t new for the Sky, who have often handled playmaking in recent seasons while putting the ball in the hands of shooting guards.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
After phones at the facility allegedly stopped working on April 2, detainees began to complain, and attorney Katherine Blankenship alleged her clients told her that guards responded by threatening violence and then enacting violence on detainees, per court docs obtained by PEOPLE.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
At France’s prison officer academy, hundreds of men and women learn to become prison guards.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 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
In addition to Nacua, the group includes Pro Bowl linebacker Byron Young, guards Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson, and defensive end Kobie Turner.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
Allen now makes and sells Safe Soss (pronounced like sauce), which include carbon filters or guards for attics and vents, fiberglass heat-resistant ember-stopping tape and a spray fire retardant that can work from a garden hose, all of which recently became available at a major hardware chain.
—ABC News, 21 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
This isn’t new for the Sky, who have often handled playmaking in recent seasons while putting the ball in the hands of shooting guards.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
After phones at the facility allegedly stopped working on April 2, detainees began to complain, and attorney Katherine Blankenship alleged her clients told her that guards responded by threatening violence and then enacting violence on detainees, per court docs obtained by PEOPLE.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
At France’s prison officer academy, hundreds of men and women learn to become prison guards.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
The water-resistant outer material guards your essentials against splashes, while elastic straps and multiple pockets help keep your bottles upright.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 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
In addition to Nacua, the group includes Pro Bowl linebacker Byron Young, guards Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson, and defensive end Kobie Turner.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 2 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
-
Should five of these eight hear their names called on top of the five locks, UM would have double-digit draftees for the first time since 2002 when 11 Hurricanes players were selected.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Note the control and tightness of the hatched lines on the cheek, and the way the mark loosens with the locks of hair right next to it, like wind rushing around a building.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The team responsible for testing the nation’s security defenses was among those pushed out.—
Sue Halpern,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Companies need to keep that distinction in mind when evaluating their tools and defenses.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This Kimpton encourages guests to explore Hong Kong’s green side (more than 70% of the territory is protected green land) with free-to-rent gear and hiking guides packed with trails suitable for every level.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.—
Paul Brett,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In discussions of people like Michael Jackson, some defenders insist on distinguishing between the artist and the art, but a bio-pic is necessarily about both.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In the 53rd minute, however, LAFC defenders were stretched and Werner, on the left, struck a cross that found Ousseni Bouda for the first of the Burkina Faso native’s two goals on the day.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The First Amendment protects the press precisely because a free press protects democracy.—
Julian Baron,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Apr. 2026
-
But unionized workers aren’t the only ones Gloria protects.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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