Synonyms of guards

guards 1 of 2

noun

plural of guard

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

• wardens
• custodians
• keepers
• guardians
• sentinels
• bodyguards
• sentries
• warders
• patrols
• pickets
• watchmen
• defenders
• watches
• watchers
• observers
• minders
• lookouts
• escorts
• spotters
• convoys
• watchdogs
• gatekeepers
• surveillants
• honor guards
• hacks

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

• defensives
• lookouts
• watches
• alerts
• qui vives

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• offensives

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

• locks
• shields
• safeties
• defenses
• safeguards
• protections
• fail-safes

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

• defenses
• safeguards
• shields
• protections
• walls
• ammunitions
• weapons
• screens
• wards
• securities
• bucklers
• armors
• armaments
• covers
• arms
• munitions
• fortresses
• aegises
• forts
• strongholds
• palisades
• weaponries

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacks
• offenses
• assaults
• aggressions
• offensives

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

• guides
• attendants
• escorts
• companions
• leaders
• shadows
• pilots
• squires
• conductors
• convoys
• sidekicks
• chaperones
• couriers
• outriders
• honor guards

6

as in defenders

someone that protects

a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defenders
• guardians
• protectors
• custodians
• bodyguards
• protections
• guardian angels
• keepers
• sentries
• champions
• warders
• sentinels
• wardens
• watchmen
• watches
• preservers
• watchdogs
• savers
• lookouts
• harborers
• conservers

guards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of guard

1

as in protects

to drive danger or attack away from

guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protects
• defends
• shields
• safeguards
• fences
• wards
• fends
• keeps
• screens
• bulwarks
• secures
• prevents
• saves
• forfends
• covers
• stands up for
• resists
• wars
• walls
• preserves
• opposes
• withstands
• fights
• averts
• conserves
• contends
• battles
• buffers
• pickets
• palisades

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attacks
• assaults
• assails
• storms
• overruns
• bombards
• submits
• besets
• yields
• besieges
• caves
• capitulates

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

• blockades
• gates
• barricades
• locks
• bars
• walls (off)
• blocks (off)
• closes (off)
• fences
• obstructs
• curtains (off)
• hedges
• dikes
• screens (off)
• bolts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opens
• unbars
• reopens
• unbolts
• unblocks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of guards

Noun

Window has window guards, building super says The building superintendent later confirmed that the window in question on the fifth floor has window guards, which are safety devices for windows made to prevent children from falling out. — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

To punish and sustain Helaena, Rhaenyra has guards shovel lukewarm gruel down her throat. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

An injury in Miami’s season opener in 2024 stopped him from being one of Miami’s primary left guards that year. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026

Last year, Senate Democratic staff investigated DOGE activities at three agencies and found armed guards, locked doors, and windows covered with trash bags. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Lebson and Richards ⁠denied that ​allegation, saying that Robert Gilman was held in extremely harsh conditions, tortured and injected with mind-altering drugs by guards, treatment ​that led to his transfer to the civilian hospital. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

The business daily Kommersant reported that Gilman pleaded guilty to the charges and apologized to the guards he was charged with assaulting. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

With the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat had to move on from guards Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis and Jaime Jaquez Jr. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

However, last year’s team featured a nauseating number of guards, so these Bulls boast a crowded frontcourt and aren’t in dire need of Mathurin’s skill set. — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Verb

Shrine guards flick sticks with ostrich feathers at female pilgrims lingering too long in the shade to try to keep the flow of people moving. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

The caterpillar even guards the wasp’s cocoons before eventually dying. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026

There’s this belief in the NFL that the more a player thinks about injuries, guards themselves to prevent them, the more they are destined to happen. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

The first encounter with water comes at the opening par three 4th hole, where a small pond guards the front of the green. — Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

According to Perseus Digital Library, which translates Greek and Roman mythology to English, some writers refer to Cerberus as the hound that guards the gates of Hades, where the dog allows people to enter, but never lets them out. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Border Patrol guards entry points near the Rio Grande, and Hartman says agents rely on technology to detect movement inside the underground network. — Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Angel Reese and Dream guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray are among those voted as reserves by the league’s 15 head coaches. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 8 July 2026

Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic. — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026