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
In 1990, for example, two robbers dressed as Boston police officers talked their way into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, restrained the guards and made off with 13 pieces of artwork 81 minutes later. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025 Nicolas Peyrin, deputy secretary general of the prison guards’ union, told CNN affiliate BFMTV that the additional security provided for the former president was not needed. Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025 Alarms screeched and guards raced to the gallery as the thieves ran off, fleeing on lightning-fast Yamaha scooters. Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 Two players who drew praise Tuesday from McKillop were transfer guards — Parker Friedrichsen, a 6-4 junior who played last year at Wake Forest; and Sam Brown, a 6-3 junior who came to Davidson from Penn. Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025 Memphis has also monitored the free-agent market for veteran guards who could provide immediate stability, though no signing appears imminent. Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 Such is life with Damian Lillard gone and with a slew of unproven guards remaining. Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 But while supplementing the loss of three All-SEC-level guards, coach Todd Golden turned to the transfer portal, bringing in top-30 prospects Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Princeton). Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025 State and local officials are investigating a Seattle-area corrections department after a whistleblower alleged the county was hiring unqualified immigrants as guards, according to a complaint filed with Washington state authorities. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
Cleveland guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, along with Tennessee’s Kevin Zeitler, may be available to help fill the massive hole in Denver’s offensive line left by Ben Powers’ injury. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025 Heat guards Terry Rozier (strained left hamstring) and Herro (left ankle surgery), and forward Simone Fontecchio (left lower leg tightness) were held out of practice on Tuesday and aren’t expected to play in Wednesday’s preseason game. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 Starting center Cooper Beebe, left tackle Tyler Guyton, and guards Tyler Booker and Tyler Smith were all out. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025 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
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
  • To get into character for the role, the actor shaved his head, replacing his locks with a combover, and adjusted his posture to appear nearly a foot shorter.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Luxy hair extensions are real locks of human hair on clips.
    Jessica Hartshorn, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Some lower-producing quarterbacks rank near the middle on the table simply because their defenses/special teams have ranked similarly.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Thirty-seven drones and 14 missiles made it through Ukraine's air defenses, the military said.
    Lilia Geho, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, Lego and much more.
    Rich Owen, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Our guides make a towering bonfire as Arctic terns waltz above the cold, blue ocean.
    Chloe Berge, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Taylor – who scored three touchdowns – was regularly easing past defenders, including going untouched into the end zone.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
  • But the Dolphins could be open to trading one or more of their edge defenders.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Covering cilantro with cloches and adding mulch around your plants protects them from chilly weather.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The justices found the organization’s policy violated the state’s Human Rights Act, which protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity.
    Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 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

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Cite this Entry

“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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