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
The Patriots, under head coach Mike Vrabel and assistants Zak Kuhr, Terrell Williams and Scott Booker, prefer versatile safeties with the range to play the deep half of the field.
—
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
Blankenship and Wilson were rated bottom-12 safeties by PFF.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
That is where safeties, inside linebackers, defensive tackles, interior offensive linemen, quarterbacks, fullbacks and running backs live on Sundays.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
The other starting spot at cornerback is wide open, while safeties Alex Graham and Kennedy Urlacher will have a lot on their plate this spring.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
There’s been an assumption that this will be a 3-4 defense based on some of the moves Glenn made this offseason, particularly hiring Karl Dunbar (defensive line coach), Brian Duker (defensive coordinator) and Ryan Slowik (safeties coach), all of whom worked in 3-4 schemes last season.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Based on Taaffe’s status as outside of most top-10 rankings for safeties, that seems high, but Taaffe’s reputation as a player that can make an immediate impact on special teams helps his cause.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
Symons also arrives in Dallas for his first job at the NFL level after spending four seasons as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at SMU.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
Nobody likes safeties or linebackers anymore.
—Kevin Sherrington
feb. 18, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
Blankenship and Wilson were rated bottom-12 safeties by PFF.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
That is where safeties, inside linebackers, defensive tackles, interior offensive linemen, quarterbacks, fullbacks and running backs live on Sundays.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
The other starting spot at cornerback is wide open, while safeties Alex Graham and Kennedy Urlacher will have a lot on their plate this spring.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
There’s been an assumption that this will be a 3-4 defense based on some of the moves Glenn made this offseason, particularly hiring Karl Dunbar (defensive line coach), Brian Duker (defensive coordinator) and Ryan Slowik (safeties coach), all of whom worked in 3-4 schemes last season.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Based on Taaffe’s status as outside of most top-10 rankings for safeties, that seems high, but Taaffe’s reputation as a player that can make an immediate impact on special teams helps his cause.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
Symons also arrives in Dallas for his first job at the NFL level after spending four seasons as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at SMU.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
Nobody likes safeties or linebackers anymore.
—Kevin Sherrington
feb. 18, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeties
Noun
-
Still, the Wildcats are led by a trio of dynamic guards, highlighted by Otega Oweh.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Even thicker padding guards the lower lumbar.—
Corey Buhay,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Tired of your locks weighing you down?—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Inside the bags are built-in pockets and packing cubes to make packing even easier, while the outside of the bags features TSA locks, charging ports, and a comfort grip handle.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Safeties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeties. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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