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
Harbaugh replaced Minter with Chris O’Leary, who was a safeties coach under Minter (2024) before spending a season at Western Michigan (2025) as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
—
Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Miami has a talented group of safeties, with Poyser, a 2025 starter, returning and last year’s star freshman, Bryce Fitzgerald (an FWAA Freshman All-American who had a team-best six interceptions), back for his sophomore year.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens teams prioritized safeties and inside linebackers to anchor his defenses.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
His vertical number would have placed him among the top five testing safeties at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
His mark would have ranked second among safeties at this year’s NFL Combine.
—Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026
Gophers defensive coordinator and safeties coach Danny Collins first looked at returning players from last year’s roster for how the U will move on after Perich.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2026
Finding safeties who can cover in the passing game, tackle in space, communicate in the back end of the field and near the line of scrimmage are important factors.
—Calvin Watkins
mar. 19, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
The Aggies bring back both starting safeties, Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe, along with experienced depth players Bryce Anderson and Myles Davis.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Miami has a talented group of safeties, with Poyser, a 2025 starter, returning and last year’s star freshman, Bryce Fitzgerald (an FWAA Freshman All-American who had a team-best six interceptions), back for his sophomore year.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens teams prioritized safeties and inside linebackers to anchor his defenses.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
His vertical number would have placed him among the top five testing safeties at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
His mark would have ranked second among safeties at this year’s NFL Combine.
—Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026
Gophers defensive coordinator and safeties coach Danny Collins first looked at returning players from last year’s roster for how the U will move on after Perich.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2026
Finding safeties who can cover in the passing game, tackle in space, communicate in the back end of the field and near the line of scrimmage are important factors.
—Calvin Watkins
mar. 19, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
The Aggies bring back both starting safeties, Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe, along with experienced depth players Bryce Anderson and Myles Davis.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeties
Noun
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Consider installing gutter guards or screens, which help block debris from entering while still allowing water through.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
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For homeowners who want to minimize ongoing gutter work, guards represent a practical investment.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Of the seven - Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Robinson, Trusty and Tim Weah - only Robinson and Richards seem like locks for serious minutes at defender in the World Cup.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2026
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His wife, Kendra, was arrested for child endangerment and false imprisonment after investigators discovered exterior door locks in their Arkansas home during a separate inquiry.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Safeties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeties. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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