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
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
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
Anmol Verma, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Other players of note include offensive/defensive tackle Stacy Peck, running back Joe Pullio, guards Evan Murphy and Braden Delisle, and safety Parker Delong.
—Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
The result is an erosion of individual agency and a system that guards access rather than broadens it.
—Anmol Verma, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Other players of note include offensive/defensive tackle Stacy Peck, running back Joe Pullio, guards Evan Murphy and Braden Delisle, and safety Parker Delong.
—Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
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
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
-
Game wardens responded to the scene and fatally shot the animal, officials said.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
But within the romantic tropes, Sheeran expresses feelings beyond falling in love with someone’s eyes and smile, instead embracing flaws (clothes strewn about the house) and habits (checking the door locks before bedtime).—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
This small step locks in extra hydration and has made a huge difference in my routine.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The bugs’ bold movements could be a way to advertise their own chemical defenses from eating toxic plants.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Timchenko openly discussed how his company’s investments in battery storage, solar, and wind are not merely green-transition gestures but are key defenses in an ongoing energy war—and symbols of the nation’s undying spirit.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Close enough to feel, far enough that our guides only laughed.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Calling on your spirit guides, guardian angels, or ancestors?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Now, with some help from the defenders behind them, Cleveland’s pitchers have paved the way for a last-gasp run at a playoff spot.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The city has become a fortress, and Ukrainian defenders are doing everything possible to prevent it from falling.—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
15 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
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
Noun
-
Two centuries ago, the Litunga (king) turned what had been his private hunting grounds over to his people as custodians.—
Mazuba Kapambwe,
AFAR Media,
10 Sep. 2025
-
From ETFs pulling in tens of billions to companies adding bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to their balance sheets, demand for trusted custodians is set to accelerate.—
Marie Poteriaieva,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share