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
With Smith-Wade working with the safeties, Simmons’ job security is fluid.
—
Mike Kaye
june 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026
Linebacker Jake Golday, punter Brett Thorson, cornerback Charles Demmings, cornerback Da’Veawn Armstead and safeties Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 12 June 2026
Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson led the safeties, as expected, followed by Dell Pettus, who was involved in an incidental collision at the end of one completion.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026
How the safeties received their reps The rehab group working off to the side Thursday included Bland, veteran safety free agent addition Jalen Thompson and second-year outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku.
—Nick Harris
june 4, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026
In some position groups — receiver, tight end, edge rushers, cornerback and safeties to be specific — the blind is leading the blind because there is no veteran presence in those rooms.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
In 7-on-7 work, QB Quinn Ewers connected deep down the middle with TE Ben Sims, splitting the safeties.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Minter departed at the end of the season to become the Ravens’ head coach and former Chargers safeties coach Chris O’Leary returned this past winter from a one-season stint as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan to replace Minter.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Mike Kaye
june 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026
Linebacker Jake Golday, punter Brett Thorson, cornerback Charles Demmings, cornerback Da’Veawn Armstead and safeties Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 12 June 2026
Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson led the safeties, as expected, followed by Dell Pettus, who was involved in an incidental collision at the end of one completion.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026
How the safeties received their reps The rehab group working off to the side Thursday included Bland, veteran safety free agent addition Jalen Thompson and second-year outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku.
—Nick Harris
june 4, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026
In some position groups — receiver, tight end, edge rushers, cornerback and safeties to be specific — the blind is leading the blind because there is no veteran presence in those rooms.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
In 7-on-7 work, QB Quinn Ewers connected deep down the middle with TE Ben Sims, splitting the safeties.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Minter departed at the end of the season to become the Ravens’ head coach and former Chargers safeties coach Chris O’Leary returned this past winter from a one-season stint as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan to replace Minter.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeties
Noun
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Some of the allegations included removing protective plastic guards covering actresses’ vaginas during the filming of intimate scenes, and Franco getting angry when actresses didn’t want to go topless.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
The Pacers, too, sent wave after wave of bigger stronger guards to push Brunson off his spots and disrupt the Knicks’ flow.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Ready to flaunt those thick locks?—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
-
The Manchester City striker is six-foot-five, ties his flowing blonde locks in a bun and knocked in a team-high 16 goals to help Norway reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Safeties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeties. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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