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
Protect trees with tree guards, fencing, and frequent applications of a deterrent. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025 Here, to avoid drawing attention, interrogators and guards dressed as civilians, uniformed personnel were prohibited and unmarked vans and other regular vehicles moved prisoners in and out. Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025 There were multiple guards around her at all times during the brief hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes. Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 Its propeller guards offer it extra protection on take-off and landing. Chris McMullen, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025 The Cavaliers have two of the best guards on their squad in Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Some of those guards will be smaller and will be best deployed as point guards. Law Murray, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 An inmate died after a fire started inside his prison cell, and now two guards are facing charges, Texas officials say. Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
That second tier of the East, the one the Pistons are hoping to join, is ripe for the Magic, a tough-minded, young team that already guards like one of the NBA’s elite. Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 This coating guards the grapes against bacteria and fungi. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025 While the Kremlin closely guards its economic data, independent analyses show debt is soaring, while growth is cooling. semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025 Bahrain fiercely guards its reputation for natural pearls, having banned the production of cultured versions in 1928, soon after they’d been devised by Kokichi Mikimoto. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2025 Fágbénlé, guards Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes, forward Kayla Thornton and center Monique Billings. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025 However, the win was a team effort as forward Brianna Turner (four points, six rebounds), forward Mikayla Timpson (nine points), guards Shey Peddy, Lexie Hull, and Aerial Powers brought the defensive energy and physicality that Indiana desperately needed. Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 The entrance to the building is always locked, and at least one officer guards the stairway down to the safes, where advanced securities are in place, including a fingerprint and iris scanner and an electronic key card reader. Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025 The water-resistant outer material guards your essentials against splashes, while elastic straps and multiple pockets help keep your bottles upright. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
  • The Clermont County Animal Shelter took possession of the animals after they were recovered by the wardens.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025
  • In partnership with the West Virginia Division of Corrections, Smith trained over 230 sergeants in a single year, followed by sessions for lieutenants, captains, and wardens.
    Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • However, a deterioration in economic conditions will mean investors should add to traditional defensives and low-beta stocks, which are less volatile than the broader market.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Their work has included the Locks for Children's Safety, an initiative that has distributed more than 8,600 gun locks through partnerships with state agencies since its 2024 inception, said Craig Boerner, a Vanderbilt spokesman.
    Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Another storyteller in the front row was Pamela Anderson, who has been showcasing her new cropped copper locks this week in Paris.
    Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Early research suggests its antioxidant defenses may support healthy cholesterol, blood sugar regulation, and gut health, but studies are still limited.
    Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Barkley has faced two of the league’s top run defenses over the past two weeks, so now would be the time to make offers.
    Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Unlike tundra buggy tours elsewhere in the Arctic, Seal River guests head out twice a day on foot, single file, accompanied by three guides.
    Susan Portnoy, AFAR Media, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The nonprofit built its existing FAFSA chatbot by training it with the hefty guides and updates the federal government releases each year.
    jsonline.com, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This made more sense at Palace a week earlier as Liverpool were on the front foot and attacking, but against Chelsea, the game was much tighter and required the strength of dedicated defenders.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Of the 20 Dolphins who played on defense Sunday, PFF said the seven worst run defenders were defensive tackles Zach Sieler, Matthew Butler and Jordan Phillips; safety Ashtyn Davis; linebacker Jaelan Phillips; cornerback Jack Jones (who was next to last) and Grant (last).
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The law protects platforms like Facebook or YouTube from legal claims over user content that appears on their platforms, treating the companies as neutral hosts—similar to telephone companies—rather than publishers.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Water Wisely Watering plants thoroughly before frost hits also helps plants survive cold weather better and protects leaves and stems from some frost damage.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on guards

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!