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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of guards
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
Texas guards contributed as well.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
But those guards fell crashing down on Wednesday night in a brutally honest assessment of his team following Boise State’s (9-6, 1-3 Mountain West) 75-58 home loss to Grand Canyon (9-5, 2-1) at ExtraMile Arena.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … POLITICS SHADOW MILITIA – 'Irregular' armed guards aboard Russian shadow tankers alarm Nordic-Baltic governments.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Venezuelans are now trying to return to their daily lives, but many are stockpiling food and medicine amid heightened security, with checkpoints and guards seen around key buildings.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
While Sarkisian has struck out so far in the offensive line, A&M went out and got a pair of starting guards in South Carolina’s Trovon Baugh and LSU’s Coen Echols and LSU tackle Tyree Adams while also signing UTSA tight end Houston Thomas.
—Sports Columnist, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
The Aztecs had been switching the point guard-center ball screens, which put guards on 6-9 bouncy Nevada forward Elijah Price under the basket.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Scoring in the paint doesn’t necessarily require hefty output from the centers — after all, wings and guards such as Coby White, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey are also at their best when scoring more than half of their points at the rim.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Greenland also guards part of the GIUK Gap, named for the initials of Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.
—Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 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, 6 Jan. 2026
Kings guards Russell Westbrook and Zach LaVine and forward DeMar DeRozan were quick to come to Sabonis’ aid, stepping between the two players before the situation escalated.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025
According to a team press release, Utah has cut floor-stretching center Mo Bamba plus guards Pedro Bradshaw and Sean East II, just days prior to the start of Utah's season.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The edit suite looks like a dorm room, full of fanboy figurines like a life-size Funko Pop of Stranger Things’ protagonist Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) that guards the front door in her blonde wig, clutching her favorite snack, Eggo waffles.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Cleveland guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, along with Tennessee’s Kevin Zeitler, may be available to help fill the massive hole in Denver’s offensive line left by Ben Powers’ injury.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Heat guards Terry Rozier (strained left hamstring) and Herro (left ankle surgery), and forward Simone Fontecchio (left lower leg tightness) were held out of practice on Tuesday and aren’t expected to play in Wednesday’s preseason game.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
Sports Equipment While the dishwasher isn't ideal for cleaning baseball caps, uniforms, or equipment heavily-coated with mud, a trip through a dishwasher cycle is ideal to remove bacteria and odors from mouth guards and hard plastic shin guards.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
Texas guards contributed as well.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
But those guards fell crashing down on Wednesday night in a brutally honest assessment of his team following Boise State’s (9-6, 1-3 Mountain West) 75-58 home loss to Grand Canyon (9-5, 2-1) at ExtraMile Arena.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … POLITICS SHADOW MILITIA – 'Irregular' armed guards aboard Russian shadow tankers alarm Nordic-Baltic governments.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Venezuelans are now trying to return to their daily lives, but many are stockpiling food and medicine amid heightened security, with checkpoints and guards seen around key buildings.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
While Sarkisian has struck out so far in the offensive line, A&M went out and got a pair of starting guards in South Carolina’s Trovon Baugh and LSU’s Coen Echols and LSU tackle Tyree Adams while also signing UTSA tight end Houston Thomas.
—Sports Columnist, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
The Aztecs had been switching the point guard-center ball screens, which put guards on 6-9 bouncy Nevada forward Elijah Price under the basket.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Scoring in the paint doesn’t necessarily require hefty output from the centers — after all, wings and guards such as Coby White, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey are also at their best when scoring more than half of their points at the rim.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Starting guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee ended the first half 0-of-7 shooting and Florida leading just 41-40, with 26 points by Haugh and Condon on 11-of-14 shooting.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Greenland also guards part of the GIUK Gap, named for the initials of Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.
—Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 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, 6 Jan. 2026
Kings guards Russell Westbrook and Zach LaVine and forward DeMar DeRozan were quick to come to Sabonis’ aid, stepping between the two players before the situation escalated.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025
According to a team press release, Utah has cut floor-stretching center Mo Bamba plus guards Pedro Bradshaw and Sean East II, just days prior to the start of Utah's season.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The edit suite looks like a dorm room, full of fanboy figurines like a life-size Funko Pop of Stranger Things’ protagonist Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) that guards the front door in her blonde wig, clutching her favorite snack, Eggo waffles.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Cleveland guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, along with Tennessee’s Kevin Zeitler, may be available to help fill the massive hole in Denver’s offensive line left by Ben Powers’ injury.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Heat guards Terry Rozier (strained left hamstring) and Herro (left ankle surgery), and forward Simone Fontecchio (left lower leg tightness) were held out of practice on Tuesday and aren’t expected to play in Wednesday’s preseason game.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
-
Since at least last Wednesday, wardens have been searching the Jefferson Hills area for a deer with a jug on its head.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Nov. 2025
-
Forest wardens walk into Kyebi Forest Reserve in the East Akim Municipal district in Ghana.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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 rich serum replaces ceramides and locks in moisture, leaving skin over 40 feeling soft and plump.—
Colleen Sullivan,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Defense lawyer Nico LaHood asked her about the policies regarding door locks at Robb Elementary and other schools.—
Matthew J. Friedman,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The militarization of space, expanded anti-missile defenses and the potential risks of AI could create additional instability.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Long a dual-threat, Hurts' 421 yards rushing were his lowest total since his 2020 rookie season and opposing defenses seemed to have solved the tush push.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These tours pair expert local guides, distinctive accommodations, and exclusive access (think private temple visits in Japan or luxury desert camps in Morocco) with a focus on meaningful community impact.—
Josh Roberts,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The local guides immediately stepped in, got off the boat and attempted to immobilize the snake so that Fry and Smith would be able to take one of its scales for their snake genetics study.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Bears defenders appreciate Johnson’s intelligence and ability to instill a tone-setting mindset.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Equally concerning to democracy defenders is its rhetoric chastising European democracies and apparent willingness to elevate political parties in Europe that reject human rights.—
Shelley Inglis,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined in a federal whistleblower investigation that Balkan Express LLC violated the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which protects commercial motor vehicle safety complaints, according to the release.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Regular sweeping protects floors by removing gritty debris that can scratch and damage finishes.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Road blockades, traffic slowdowns and other protests were widespread – from the southern port city of Marseille to Lille and Caen in the north, and from Nantes and Rennes in the west to Grenoble and Lyon in the southeast.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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