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
Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The most consistent 2-point shooter out of the shooting guards in this class, the 6-4 Burries is built solidly and plays with equal intensity on both ends of the court.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
For the first time in her college career, UConn women’s basketball star Azzi Fudd can officially call herself one of the best shooting guards in the country.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Of course, consistent minutes are not guaranteed on a roster that is flush with guards.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Senior guards Jensen and Brehmer are team co-captains.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Between those edges, the Texans have sandwiched versatile, disruptive interior rushers that can take advantage of one-on-one opportunities against guards and centers.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Adelman went to the opposite end of the spectrum in the second quarter, playing Zeke Nnaji at the five along with four guards.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
In the film, Nazi guards fill those stone arcades, watching the von Trapps perform just moments before the family slips away into Switzerland.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Miami guards Gal Raviv and Amarachi Kimpson each scored 20.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
An Austin police officer guards the scene on West 6th Street at West Avenue after a shooting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
—Brian Dakss, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Saturday’s starters Kerr’s starting lineup Saturday against the Lakers featured Green at center, Santos and Moses Moody at forward and guards De’Anthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
The film, anchored by head coach Cori Close, center Lauren Betts and guards Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez, delivers an all-access look at UCLA's first Final Four and captures storylines from this season as the Bruins try to return to college basketball's biggest stage.
—Meghan L. Hall, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
The First Amendment guards the right to express unpopular views.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
Those guards lineups and rotations can only beat tanking teams and not all the time.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
James and Reaves funneled in seven points apiece, while Doncic heated up with a 3-pointer over Clippers guards Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller on a double-team attempt, an alley-oop pass to Jaxson Hayes, and a step-back 3-pointer to cap a three-possession clinic.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
In these situations, fire watch guards may be assigned to monitor the property when regular staff is unavailable.
—Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The most consistent 2-point shooter out of the shooting guards in this class, the 6-4 Burries is built solidly and plays with equal intensity on both ends of the court.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
For the first time in her college career, UConn women’s basketball star Azzi Fudd can officially call herself one of the best shooting guards in the country.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Of course, consistent minutes are not guaranteed on a roster that is flush with guards.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Senior guards Jensen and Brehmer are team co-captains.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Between those edges, the Texans have sandwiched versatile, disruptive interior rushers that can take advantage of one-on-one opportunities against guards and centers.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Adelman went to the opposite end of the spectrum in the second quarter, playing Zeke Nnaji at the five along with four guards.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
In the film, Nazi guards fill those stone arcades, watching the von Trapps perform just moments before the family slips away into Switzerland.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
Swain runs the offense, guards every position and is the one player who cannot afford to have a bad night at the office, lest the Horns will get blown out in most instances.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Miami guards Gal Raviv and Amarachi Kimpson each scored 20.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
An Austin police officer guards the scene on West 6th Street at West Avenue after a shooting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
—Brian Dakss, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Saturday’s starters Kerr’s starting lineup Saturday against the Lakers featured Green at center, Santos and Moses Moody at forward and guards De’Anthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
The film, anchored by head coach Cori Close, center Lauren Betts and guards Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez, delivers an all-access look at UCLA's first Final Four and captures storylines from this season as the Bruins try to return to college basketball's biggest stage.
—Meghan L. Hall, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
The First Amendment guards the right to express unpopular views.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
Those guards lineups and rotations can only beat tanking teams and not all the time.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
James and Reaves funneled in seven points apiece, while Doncic heated up with a 3-pointer over Clippers guards Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller on a double-team attempt, an alley-oop pass to Jaxson Hayes, and a step-back 3-pointer to cap a three-possession clinic.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
-
As state corrections director, Franzen ordered a shakedown at Stateville and fired two wardens at the facility in an effort to root out corruption.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
According to wardens, a team of trackers spotted the twins on Saturday, with monitoring and protection measures in force to increase their chances of survival.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 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
-
Changing your locks is pragmatic, not paranoid.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The star ingredient, agave extract, locks in moisture and tames frizz, while wheat protein and sweet almond oil help soften your strands.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Israeli military said strikes have already destroyed most of Iran's air defenses and missile launchers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Jordanian air defenses intercepted a cluster of one-way attack drones headed to Oman, Caine said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.—
Paul Brett,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The Native guides would occasionally stop to climb a tree and reach into a hole to see if there were any baby parrots in it.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some policy defenders contend that the labor market weakness reflects adjustments to immigration restrictions rather than fundamental economic failure, positioning this as a deliberate policy choice rather than an economic failure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Dobbins was great last fall when defenders stacked the box.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Competitive elections strengthen democracy, and state leaders should reexamine a system that protects party insiders and sidelines would-be challengers long before voters get their say.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 13 Mar. 2026.
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