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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of safeties
McDaniels successfully exposed the Saints cornerbacks and safeties in isolation, first on a play-action shot at midfield that yielded DeMario Douglas' 53-yard touchdown.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
Play 2 in the video showcases how the Buccaneers’ entire offensive system challenges safeties and puts them in conflict.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The Sailors positioned two safeties deep in zone and played man defense underneath, Burns said.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
The decision to sign Jordan Poyer last year turned out poorly, and the team’s new safeties — aside from Fitzpatrick — haven’t played especially well.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
Play 2 in the video showcases how the Buccaneers’ entire offensive system challenges safeties and puts them in conflict.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The Sailors positioned two safeties deep in zone and played man defense underneath, Burns said.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
The decision to sign Jordan Poyer last year turned out poorly, and the team’s new safeties — aside from Fitzpatrick — haven’t played especially well.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeties
Noun
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Lillard’s openness and willingness to help out a teenager, who Portland drafted out of high school in 2018 (24th overall), gave Simons an unusual opportunity to learn from one of the NBA’s best guards.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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But while supplementing the loss of three All-SEC-level guards, coach Todd Golden turned to the transfer portal, bringing in top-30 prospects Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Princeton).—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To get into character for the role, the actor shaved his head, replacing his locks with a combover, and adjusted his posture to appear nearly a foot shorter.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Luxy hair extensions are real locks of human hair on clips.—
Jessica Hartshorn,
Flow Space,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Safeties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeties. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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