guards 1 of 2

plural of guard
1
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
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

guards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of guard

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
Bolsonaro is under house arrest, surrounded by guards to prevent him from fleeing to a foreign embassy to request asylum. Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025 The latter option is particularly tantalizing because both guards offer valuable skills that could help a playoff hopeful be even more formidable in 2025-26. Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Scores of armed guards in riot gear formed a tunnel as they were led inside the prison. Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 His history rushing over top guards gives Fangio options to get creative — perhaps even moving a defensive tackle outside on some plays. Zach Berman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 Dermish launched businesses to support the industry, offering everything from guards for drill sites to housing for oil field workers. ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025 Products like organic soap sprays and organic horticultural oil control smaller pests, while tree guards, netting, and fruit protection bags are musts for deterring birds and large critters such as groundhogs or raccoons, or deer that may damage the tree bark. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025 Beatings by guards are routine. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards guards Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on January 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 Desiree Martinez, who helps businesses with custom marketing strategies and has 42,000 subscribers, guards her Mondays fiercely. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 After inciting rage on both sides of the aisle, spurring conversations about private equity ruining fun, and generally being the internet’s main character (derogatory) for a week, the restaurant has brought back their barrel and the old man who guards it. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025 There were also guards Sydney Colson (torn ACL) and Aari McDonald (foot fracture) who both suffered season-ending injuries. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Center Jake Slaughter could be an All-American and has been a preseason nomination for nearly every notable award, but UF’s three other starters — tackle Austin Barber and guards Damieon George and Knijeah Harris — have all been pedestrian at times. Noah White, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025 Former Aztecs guards Trey Kell and Lamont Butler were on the sideline as well. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025 Sunshine Sean guards his feelings the way mama badgers guard their young. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
  • As for the bear, two wardens with AGFC responded to the scene and found the animal still in the area.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Game wardens responded to the scene and fatally shot the animal, officials said.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On Wednesday, images of Kate Middleton sporting a new blonde look surfaced on social media, and while many websites and Instagram accounts took to praising her lighter locks and reposting the photos, the comments sections of these posts told a different story.
    Alison Mann, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The seemingly ever-present A-lister has graced magazine covers for three decades, her haircut spurring thousands of women to lop off their long locks in the '90s.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But in the second half, both defenses settled in and both offenses stalled.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • More than 600 missiles and drones, civilian infrastructure hit, air defenses saturated.
    Brett Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Non-drug factors Psychedelic treatment often involves guides or therapists who help ensure that a patient's psychedelic experience is safe and effective.
    Jon Hamilton, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
  • There are many kayak guides to take you safely out on the water at night.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s defenders and critics sparred over whether the signature resembled his own.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Moore attempted to catch a pass from quarterback Caleb Wiliams over the middle of the field, when he was pulled down by defenders.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The case also wraps around all four side of the iPhone, with the same elevated lip that protects the screen.
    Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Making this distinction prevents overengineering and protects morale, budget, and timeline.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Cloudflare, just like custodians of all web properties, has an affirmative duty to secure the service.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Shaping Tomorrow’s Cyber Defenses Agentic AI presents a compelling vision for the future of cybersecurity, one in which intelligent agents function as relentless, adaptive custodians, collaborating with human professionals.
    Perry Carpenter, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Outdoor enthusiasts can book a horseback ride or guided hikes through Cocora Valley that lead to hidden lookouts.
    Boris Seckovic, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Smoke reports continue to come in from fire lookouts and aircraft are conducting reconnaissance flights to detect any new fires.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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