GUARDS Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

guards 1 of 2

noun

plural of guard

as in wardens

a person or group that watches over someone or something checked in with the security guard at the gate

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as in defensives

a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack be on your guard against snakes in the swamp

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offensives

as in locks

a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain

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as in defenses

means or method of defending the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard

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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

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as in defenders

someone that protects a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

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guards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of guard

as in protects

to drive danger or attack away from guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

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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

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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

His absence has created additional backcourt opportunities for Nolan Traoré and Brown, two young guards whose roles continue to evolve. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 8 Nov. 2026 His matchup with Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau, the Final Four Most Outstanding Player and another one of the best lead guards in the country, was personal. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026 Mackenzie was charged with the murders alongside 28 of his followers, including guards who enforced his fasting directives and gravediggers who helped conceal the mass graves. — ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026 Claxton also will be expected to advance the ball out of the backcourt when guards come under siege from high traps, a consistent pattern from opposing defenses because of the Bulls’ tendency to turn the ball over. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026 Watts, Sin and Alexandra Cummins add to an already deep corps of guards led by all-Big West preseason picks Dymonique Maxie and sophomore Lev Feiman and veteran Rosa Smith. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026 Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley could look to dial up some twists and stunts to get his edge rushers against the guards, or blitzes to manipulate some pressure. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026 Kawasaki The bike also gets nifty touring extras like hand guards, aluminum engine guards, and a taller windshield as standard. — New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026 After serving the state for decades, retired generals and senior cadres are often reduced to working as guards or market vendors. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Verb

Three four-year starters — guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer and forward Trey Kaufman-Renn — have departed. — Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026 While in the forest Lakshmana helps secure food and shelter, carries weapons, and guards Rama and Sita. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 Heat guards Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson were effective as the ball handlers in the pick-and-roll, too. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026 At least three of their top five scorers return with forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and guards Isaac Asuma and Bobby Durkin. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Prior to Monday night’s loss to the visiting Dallas Mavericks that created this 0-4 hole, guards Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell spoke of disjointed defense, of being uncertain when to expect help, when to do it alone. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026 The router comes with Advanced Router Protection, which guards your router, and a 30-day trial for Netgear Armor Security. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 The Lakers also were without center Walker Kessler (finger), guards Austin Reaves (ankle) and Collin Sexton (lower body), and two-way forward Arthur Kaluma (lower body), who all missed their second consecutive preseason game. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 However, Lucille guards dark secrets hidden in her family’s home, and with Edith’s ability to commune with the dead, the things the Sharpes have been trying to hide within the walls of Crimson Peak begin to burst forth. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards

Noun

According to the post, Kentucky State Police Aviation saw smoke in the area, and wardens and search and rescue personnel were able to access the location, near the headwaters of Cave Run Lake, using a boat.

— Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2026
Game wardens did arrest nine people across Georgia for boating under the influence, the majority of whom were at Lake Lanier.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of wardens

Noun

Prior to her dramatic chop, Fahy favored mid-length blond locks, which the actress typically styled in loose waves or occasionally a straight middle part.

— Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026
The blade locks securely closed and can be deployed in three different positions.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of locks

Noun

Its sister service Starshield, a military version developed for the Pentagon, relies on the Starlink network and has become a vital component for Ukrainian forces, strengthening its far-reaching drone strike missions and air defenses.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Nov. 2026
Read More on News Europe has been gearing up its defenses since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but concerns that Russia could target the Baltic states have been growing recently.

— Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of defenses

Noun

The guides are designed to help students study the film before or after the screening.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
City University of New York’s Creating Law Enforcement Accountability and Responsibility project, or CLEAR, published legal guides for BLM advocates on avoiding law enforcement scrutiny in 2020.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of guides

Noun

OpenAI is also sharing its architecture and lessons from its previous sprint, along with a blueprint for empowering cyber defenders across industry and government.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Johnson’s 15-yard run in the third quarter, a play during which five Denver defenders had a shot, was a big moment in a touchdown drive.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of defenders

Verb

Not far from the ruins sat the 1990 seawall, the rock embankment that protects some of Tangier.

— John Anglim, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026
The piece of legislation protects hundreds of thousands acres of land in the Highlands, which is the main source of drinking water for millions of residents in New Jersey.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of protects

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