safeguard 1 of 2

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as in precaution
a measure taken to preclude loss or injury safeguards that were intended to assure our security, but not at the expense of our liberty

Synonyms & Similar Words

safeguard

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word safeguard different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of safeguard are defend, guard, protect, and shield. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

When might defend be a better fit than safeguard?

While the synonyms defend and safeguard are close in meaning, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When is it sensible to use guard instead of safeguard?

Although the words guard and safeguard have much in common, guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

When is protect a more appropriate choice than safeguard?

The words protect and safeguard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

When could shield be used to replace safeguard?

The synonyms shield and safeguard are sometimes interchangeable, but shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

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 safeguard
Noun
The conflict began Thursday when Israel conducted a wide-ranging attack on Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities hours after the United Nations’s nuclear watchdog passed a resolution declaring Tehran in noncompliance with its nuclear safeguards obligations for the first time in two decades. Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2025 While voter fraud does happen occasionally, the country’s processes provide many safeguards that generally keep it detectable and rare. Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 14 June 2025
Verb
At the Jeu de Paume museum, Valland took many risks to safeguard its treasures and record the massive plunder of artwork across France. Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 18 June 2025 The balancing act between fostering a thriving market and safeguarding public health continues to be a challenge for policymakers. Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for safeguard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeguard
Noun
  • That’s because Republicans are still hustling to win approval for provisions that their nonpartisan rules referee deemed ineligible for protection from a Democratic filibuster.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 June 2025
  • By the spring of 1975, Peltier had set up camp on the reservation at Oglala, offering protection to elders.
    Nick Estes, New Yorker, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Forecasters predict the worst of a record-setting heat wave may soon be over — but millions still need to take precautions to stay safe from dangerous heat.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • The National Weather Service in Charlotte issued a heat advisory on Tuesday until 8 p.m. Wednesday, urging people to take precautions while outside.
    Emma Moon, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • This would seem to protect states' access to the $42 billion broadband deployment fund that will offer subsidies to ISPs that expand access to Internet service.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
  • Agnes has born the brunt of the harshness of the world, and Ada has been protected.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the Qingdao meeting, the first visit from an Indian defense chief to China since a deadly 2020 border clash between the two countries.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
  • After the House narrowly approved the legislation that addresses the president's tax, defense, border and energy priorities last month, Senate GOP leaders are working to pass the bill in the upper chamber.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The medium-to-long-range layer, David’s Sling, has replaced Patriot batteries supplied by the United States, defending against both aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles using a missile called Stunner.
    Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Thanks to the oceans on either side of us, the frozen wasteland to the north, and a gentle behemoth to the south, no one thought much about having to defend our borders.
    Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • In Israel, people have taken shelter in stairwells and bomb shelters, and are coping with Tehran’s ability to penetrate the country’s sophisticated defense shield.
    Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 18 June 2025
  • Resilience becomes not just a shield, but a catalyst for future growth and innovation.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Detonating Everything In fact, the Russians might be said to have originated the tactic of using small drones to bring the detonator with their series of sabotage attacks against Ukrainian ammunition depots in 2017.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Ukraine is completely out of ammunition for its two vital missile defense SAMP/T batteries, the Franco-Italian version of the U.S. Patriot missile defense system, according to sources speaking with Le Monde late last month.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Safeguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeguard. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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