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
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Recent Examples of safeties
The first is that even amid a league-wide trend in which more and more teams are playing with two deep safeties to prevent explosive plays, the Patriots faced a single high safety at an above-average rate.
—
Chad Graff, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Haug said he’s formed a strong bond with TCU safeties coach Tre Watson and assistant Julius Lewis.
—Steven Johnson
june 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 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
The coordinator will use both cornerbacks and safeties in the spot, depending on the mismatch potential.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 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
Chad Graff, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Haug said he’s formed a strong bond with TCU safeties coach Tre Watson and assistant Julius Lewis.
—Steven Johnson
june 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 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
The coordinator will use both cornerbacks and safeties in the spot, depending on the mismatch potential.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 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
-
Liveried guards greet you at the grand entrance and breeze through ‘hello’ in any number of languages.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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He is known for his corner offense, which featured two big men at each side of the free throw line, an offense that would spread the floor and allow guards and wings to cut and flow to the corners.—
Jason Quick,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Kerry Washington makes a chic appearance in a long wavy locks and a camel skirt co-ord at the screening and Q&A for Django Unchained in Los Angeles on May 29.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
Gomez donned her go-to rich chocolate locks while posing backstage in an Elizabethan-style dress and taking photos on a bridge with the London Eye and Big Ben in the background.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Safeties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeties. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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