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
Schoen is known to lean heavily on his confidence in the Giants’ individual evaluations of players and on his staunch belief in positional value, a hard line against paying the likes of running backs and safeties in the past that has not served the team well.
—
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked seven safeties within the upcoming draft’s top 100 prospects.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
So did his run defense, which PFF ranked second among all Dolphins players and 17th among 98 qualifying NFL safeties.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 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
Mike Ekeler was hired as the special teams coordinator/linebackers coach, Paul Gonzales was hired to coach the safeties and Skyler Jones was elevated to defensive tackles coach.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026
As leaders of Super Bowl-winning defenses, former safeties Rodney Harrison and Devin McCourty became football gurus.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked seven safeties within the upcoming draft’s top 100 prospects.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
So did his run defense, which PFF ranked second among all Dolphins players and 17th among 98 qualifying NFL safeties.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 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
Mike Ekeler was hired as the special teams coordinator/linebackers coach, Paul Gonzales was hired to coach the safeties and Skyler Jones was elevated to defensive tackles coach.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026
As leaders of Super Bowl-winning defenses, former safeties Rodney Harrison and Devin McCourty became football gurus.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeties
Noun
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Especially after reinserting Skyy Clark into a starting lineup, which, barring injuries, will feature three guards – including Dent and sophomore Trent Perry – the rest of the season.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
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For most of the night, the Jayhawks were flawless in forcing Houston’s guards into hard shots and keeping star freshman Kingston Flemings from getting into the paint or hitting his patented pull-up jumper.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Dishant, my Indian hair stylist, expertly maneuvered his round brush through my heavy locks, coiffing them to perfection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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Bushey’s hostile behavior following his sister’s arrival caused Laurie and her mother to take several safety measures out of fear, such as removing knives from the home, changing the locks, and finally pursuing a restraining order against Bushey and taking steps to evict him, Pirrello said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Safeties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeties. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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