GUARDS Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

guards 1 of 2

noun

plural of guard

as in wardens

a person or group that watches over someone or something checked in with the security guard at the gate

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as in defensives

a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack be on your guard against snakes in the swamp

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offensives

as in locks

a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain

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as in defenses

means or method of defending the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard

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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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as in defenders

someone that protects a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

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guards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of guard

as in protects

to drive danger or attack away from guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

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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

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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 Lakers were eliminated by Oklahoma City, who relied on standout performances from young guards Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell to overcome a quiet series from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and an injury to Jalen Williams. — Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 Armed guards routinely patrol outside synagogues, Jewish community centers and schools. — John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 View gallery - 3 images Ancient pharaohs had round-the-clock guards watching their tombs. — New Atlas, 5 July 2026 As for guards, where there are four starters, Howard and Gray were fifth and sixth. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Oliver's mystery character exited a helicopter with black hair, a navy suit and armed guards by his side. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Later, in response to news reports that the medical examiner planned to rule the death a homicide, a DHS spokesperson said guards had used force to keep him from killing himself. — Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 3 July 2026 The Warriors’ two candidates to fill this role are guards Will Richard and LJ Cryer. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 July 2026 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

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

At least two Colorado prison wardens participated in a racist, homophobic group chat on both personal and work cellphones for years, prompting an internal investigation into their conduct that has stretched for 15 months.

— Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 29 June 2026
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

Definition of wardens

Noun

There’s no need to remember a code and most biometric locks can store as many users as need access.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Alfaturk16’s leak locks in a July 22 release date for the new Galaxy Watches, potentially giving Samsung just a few weeks to unveil what could prove to be a radical addition to the company’s wearable portfolio.

— Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of locks

Noun

Russia’s Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 73 Ukrainian drones from late Wednesday until early Thursday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its defenses downed 73 Ukrainian drones from late Wednesday into early Thursday.

— Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of defenses

Noun

Be sure to follow me for all your daily puzzle-solving guides, TV show and movie reviews and more here on this blog!

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Her work has taken her around the world reviewing top hotels and writing travel guides, from luxury safari camps in Botswana to Palaces de France across Saint-Tropez.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026

Definition of guides

Verb

Habeas corpus is a basic legal principle that protects people from being unlawfully detained and the petition allows immigrants like Wilber to challenge the legality of their detention.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Streamline a tricky task with a co-worker, update an invoice, or create a cleaner process that protects your time and self-respect.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026

Definition of protects

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