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
As a safeguard, all Sora videos currently include a watermark. Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025 And neither intelligence nor proficiency with technology is a safeguard against the seductive and deceptive aspects of a chatbot. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Windows 11 Pro gives you BitLocker encryption, Smart App Control, and biometric login support to help safeguard sensitive information. PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025 Looking Ahead Fuad sees his generation of Emirati filmmakers as crucial to safeguarding cultural identity in an ever more globalized world. Essie Assibu, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for safeguard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeguard
Noun
  • Still, the decisiveness with which Nix delivered the ball, trusting both the protection in front of him and what his eyes were seeing with the defense, was encouraging.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • By providing a compact, sustainable, and highly effective solution, the researchers are contributing to environmental protection and securing clean water resources for the future.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As a security precaution, YubiKey firmware is not upgradable by users.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The bomb squad will clear the vehicle as a precaution, KTLA reported.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The commission reports the use of the ATMs by scammers, who urge consumers to deposit cash into them to protect their savings, is on the rise.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Welcome to the third iteration of The Athletic’s annual defense ranking tiers.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Subramanian is also weighing a defense motion to have Combs' convictions tossed.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On paper, this is a deep, talented defense that skates well, defends hard, and can move the puck.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Much to the frustration of sleuthing fans, Sherman-Palladino has continued to defend the miniseries’ ending, saying her concern wasn’t with the goings on of any of the aforementioned men.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That loss shaped his humor, which became both a gift and a shield.
    Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Again, a poor run of form would change that feeling, but Flick and his team have been the bulletproof shield for Laporta and the club, and if results were to change, so too would the experience at the top.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The juvenile's guardians found two weapons with ammunition and gave them to police.
    Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Now, in addition to poring over manifestos and digital footprints, investigators are using these messages found on ammunition and firearms as clues for intention, as illustrated in the Dallas ICE facility incident when investigators were piecing together a possible motive for the attack.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Safeguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeguard. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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