Synonyms of guards

guards 1 of 2

noun

plural of guard

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

• wardens
• custodians
• keepers
• guardians
• sentinels
• bodyguards
• sentries
• warders
• patrols
• pickets
• watchmen
• defenders
• watches
• watchers
• observers
• minders
• lookouts
• escorts
• spotters
• convoys
• watchdogs
• gatekeepers
• surveillants
• honor guards
• hacks

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

• defensives
• lookouts
• watches
• alerts
• qui vives

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• offensives

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

• locks
• shields
• safeties
• defenses
• safeguards
• protections
• fail-safes

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

• defenses
• safeguards
• shields
• protections
• walls
• ammunitions
• weapons
• screens
• wards
• securities
• bucklers
• armors
• armaments
• covers
• arms
• munitions
• fortresses
• aegises
• forts
• strongholds
• palisades
• weaponries

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacks
• offenses
• assaults
• aggressions
• offensives

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

• guides
• attendants
• escorts
• companions
• leaders
• shadows
• pilots
• squires
• conductors
• convoys
• sidekicks
• chaperones
• couriers
• outriders
• honor guards

6

as in defenders

someone that protects

a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defenders
• guardians
• protectors
• custodians
• bodyguards
• protections
• guardian angels
• keepers
• sentries
• champions
• warders
• sentinels
• wardens
• watchmen
• watches
• preservers
• watchdogs
• savers
• lookouts
• harborers
• conservers

guards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of guard

1

as in protects

to drive danger or attack away from

guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protects
• defends
• shields
• safeguards
• fences
• wards
• fends
• keeps
• screens
• bulwarks
• secures
• prevents
• saves
• forfends
• covers
• stands up for
• resists
• wars
• walls
• preserves
• opposes
• withstands
• fights
• averts
• conserves
• contends
• battles
• buffers
• pickets
• palisades

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacks
• assaults
• assails
• storms
• overruns
• bombards
• submits
• besets
• yields
• besieges
• caves
• capitulates

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

• blockades
• gates
• barricades
• locks
• bars
• walls (off)
• blocks (off)
• closes (off)
• fences
• obstructs
• curtains (off)
• hedges
• dikes
• screens (off)
• bolts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opens
• unbars
• reopens
• unbolts
• unblocks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of guards

Noun

Police reinforcements were called late Saturday to the temporary accommodation center for asylum seekers in Sintiki, a few kilometers (miles) from the Bulgarian border, after migrants threw rocks at guards, according to police. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Parents will be dropping off students, children will be navigating new routes, and nearly 250 city crossing guards will be out each day to help families cross safely. — Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

The slew of players who make up those units — from guards Josh Priebe and DJ Campbell to tackles Gottlieb Ayedze, Marques Cox and Kevin Cline — just haven’t showed enough to be viable backups if a starter misses extended time. — Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

The Chargers’ unofficial depth chart last week listed Awosika, Taylor and Slaughter as the top three left guards. — Elliott Teaford, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

The moment sparked a brief exchange between the two star guards, though television microphones did not clearly pick up what was said. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

AirsFish Soccer Shin Guards for Kids Breathable and sweat-absorbent, these shin guards strap around the foot to stay securely in place. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

While rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling held up pretty well, Panthers reserve guards Chandler Zavala and Brady Christensen got beaten up inside. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026

McEnroe’s testimony is particularly important, Sullivan explained, because while some of the other eyewitnesses were MSG guards or had been employed by MSG at some point, McEnroe had no such ties to the defendant. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

Rookie guards Tonie Morgan, a former developmental player who signed a standard contract recently, and Chance Gray, the team’s second-round draft pick, both added eight points each. — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026

Hal Jordan is the chief Green Lantern of planet Earth at this time, part of an intergalactic policing organization that guards sectors of the cosmos. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, on the neighboring field, Purdy had finished his initial reps by the time the 49ers’ offense, particularly guards Robert Jones and Dominick Puni, got into a scrum with the Titans. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Shrine guards flick sticks with ostrich feathers at female pilgrims lingering too long in the shade to try to keep the flow of people moving. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

The caterpillar even guards the wasp’s cocoons before eventually dying. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026

There’s this belief in the NFL that the more a player thinks about injuries, guards themselves to prevent them, the more they are destined to happen. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

The first encounter with water comes at the opening par three 4th hole, where a small pond guards the front of the green. — Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

According to Perseus Digital Library, which translates Greek and Roman mythology to English, some writers refer to Cerberus as the hound that guards the gates of Hades, where the dog allows people to enter, but never lets them out. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026