as in guards
a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation
the gun couldn't be fired as long as the safety was on
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of safeties
Minkah Fitzpatrick and other safeties have handled some of the Dolphins’ slot cornerback duties in Marshall’s absence.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
But if teams want to play their safeties deep to defend wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, then the Cowboys will continue to feed Williams.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
Dude was a slant master, dinking and dunking to his heart’s delight, forcing safeties to creep up and putting linebackers on their heels.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Tight end Dalton Schultz will be Stroud’s go-to guy, so the 49ers’ linebackers and safeties better not lose track of him.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Look for their linebackers and safeties to tell the story of this game.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
One of the top free-agent safeties on the market this past offseason, Holland has started all seven games for the Giants so far.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
On defense, Michigan played without safeties Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman, who dressed for the game but came out in street clothes after halftime.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Opponents believe Stafford’s arm strength remains good, inducing them to line up two safeties deep.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
But if teams want to play their safeties deep to defend wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, then the Cowboys will continue to feed Williams.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
Dude was a slant master, dinking and dunking to his heart’s delight, forcing safeties to creep up and putting linebackers on their heels.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Tight end Dalton Schultz will be Stroud’s go-to guy, so the 49ers’ linebackers and safeties better not lose track of him.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Look for their linebackers and safeties to tell the story of this game.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
One of the top free-agent safeties on the market this past offseason, Holland has started all seven games for the Giants so far.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
On defense, Michigan played without safeties Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman, who dressed for the game but came out in street clothes after halftime.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Opponents believe Stafford’s arm strength remains good, inducing them to line up two safeties deep.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeties
Noun
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The Panthers have had three starting right guards this season and all three have sustained noteworthy injuries.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Oct. 2025
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Nine teens temporarily escaped from a facility the company owned near Philadelphia following a riot in 2023, and guards at the same facility suffered minor injuries during a riot in September.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The sleek hair tool dries your locks quickly, while leaving them frizz-free, shiny, and soft.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Lock all windows and doors, and change the locks just in case the tenant had given keys to someone else.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Safeties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeties. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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