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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of safeties
Having corners who can hold their own in coverage allows the pass rush more time to get after the quarterback and allows Detroit’s safeties to roam the field without concern for the outside.
—
Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Safeties Miami used three safeties on well over a dozen plays, with Minkah Fitzpatrick moving to a pseudo slot corner role at times.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
From Football Field to Viewfinder Jenkins built his reputation as one of the NFL's most versatile safeties, a leader whose intellect matched his athleticism.
—John Armwood Iii, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The two safeties bit so hard that Nix had two options streaking uncovered in Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
Chris Jones notched his first sack, and George Karlaftis added a sack as the rush and two-deep safeties kept Wilson off-balance all night.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
Outside linebackers Jared Verse and Byron Young have to keep containment, and safeties have to be ready to contain any leaks.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
Jaylinn Hawkins and third-round rookie Craig Woodson have been their primary safeties since his release, with fellow veteran Kyle Dugger and second-year pro Dell Pettus playing smaller roles.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The Horned Frogs’ secondary was also flagged three times for pass interference as the corners and safeties struggled to win their individual battles.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Safeties Miami used three safeties on well over a dozen plays, with Minkah Fitzpatrick moving to a pseudo slot corner role at times.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
From Football Field to Viewfinder Jenkins built his reputation as one of the NFL's most versatile safeties, a leader whose intellect matched his athleticism.
—John Armwood Iii, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The two safeties bit so hard that Nix had two options streaking uncovered in Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
Chris Jones notched his first sack, and George Karlaftis added a sack as the rush and two-deep safeties kept Wilson off-balance all night.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
Outside linebackers Jared Verse and Byron Young have to keep containment, and safeties have to be ready to contain any leaks.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
Jaylinn Hawkins and third-round rookie Craig Woodson have been their primary safeties since his release, with fellow veteran Kyle Dugger and second-year pro Dell Pettus playing smaller roles.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The Horned Frogs’ secondary was also flagged three times for pass interference as the corners and safeties struggled to win their individual battles.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeties
Noun
-
The squad has a deeper bench this season thanks to the additions of guards Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon and big man Guerschon Yabusele.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Harris was one of the best defensive guards available in the portal, and Rodriguez has been a solid contributor for Spain’s youth teams and played in the country’s top league (the ACB).—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Their work has included the Locks for Children's Safety, an initiative that has distributed more than 8,600 gun locks through partnerships with state agencies since its 2024 inception, said Craig Boerner, a Vanderbilt spokesman.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Another storyteller in the front row was Pamela Anderson, who has been showcasing her new cropped copper locks this week in Paris.—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Safeties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeties. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share