guards 1 of 2

Definition of guardsnext
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
In Golden State’s two losses to Indiana and Chicago, the Valkyries struggled when defenses pressed up against their guards and forced them to take tough shots at the rim with the shot clock running down. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 Video shows immigration authorities shoving a woman through a line of masked and armed guards and threatening to deploy pepper spray as protesters shouted at the agents. Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026 The guards posted here by the authorities seemed to have no appreciation of their value. Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026 Other clips showed detainees being pushed down to the ground, and detainees with their foreheads pressed against the floor, surrounded by armed guards as the Israeli national anthem plays. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 25 May 2026 Millions of dollars were made available to nonprofits that would otherwise not have the resources to pay for armed guards, fencing and other measures to keep their constituents safe. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026 But after the early burst, the Liberty had no answer for the trio of Wings' guards. CBS News, 24 May 2026 But the Spurs’ playmaking to find shooters worked so well, and their guards, Castle and Dylan Harper, stepped up well in Fox’s absence. Dan Woike, New York Times, 23 May 2026 For contusions, wear your shin guards. Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
Last night, guards De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper combined to score only 14 points on 5-of-20 shooting. Tim Rohan, NBC news, 27 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 Barnes shares touches with fellow All-Star Brandon Ingram and guards RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, but Barnes is a superpowered connector. Law Murray, New York Times, 21 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 Forgetting also guards your emotional health. Gabrielle Principe, The Conversation, 5 May 2026 The property got its start as a villa and still guards that intimate, private feel while providing thoughtful hotel amenities like a gym, a yoga deck, and in-room spa services. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026 Washington might consider restoring the Fulbright Program, and work on better coordination between the US State Department, which issues visas, and Homeland Security, which guards entry points. Andy Browne, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
  • 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
  • The state wardens and other cops who knew and worked with Bob Markle weren’t just honoring his memory by attending his funeral.
    Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 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
  • Williams and Luepke are roster locks.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • Aqara has announced a new trio of smart locks for the UK market, with the Chinese smart home specialist expanding its compatibility for more awkward doors and closures.
    Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • Just when defenses force someone other than the Knicks’ stars to dribble, here comes Anunoby on the baseline going up for a two-hand dunk.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The experts shared that chicken wire, metal sheeting, garden netting, fences, and hardware cloths are all great defenses.
    Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 28 May 2026
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, 28 May 2026
  • The market, however, graded Meta’s spending outlook hike more harshly than Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft even as their capex guides were even higher.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • All three kids wore blue T-shirts supporting the team and even had matching ear defenders in case the game got a little too loud.
    Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
  • The first half had the feel of watching Jesus’ testimonial, as generous team-mates and sloppy Palace defenders conspired to grant him a series of goalscoring opportunities.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • December 22 – January 19 Your effort deserves a structure that protects its value.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
  • How sunscreen protects you from the sun Let’s start with how sunscreen works.
    Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 25 May 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

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