ward 1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯrd How to pronounce ward (audio)
Definition of wardnext
1
as in defense
means or method of defending frequent hand washing is an oft-recommended ward against the spread of common germs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in custody
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something gained the ward of his cousin upon the death of her parents

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ward

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from vowed that he would take whatever measures were necessary to ward the nation's people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ward
Noun
Hospitals are also closing labor and maternity wards — nearly 60 wards have closed since 2012, according to CalMatters. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 And more than 500 hospitals closed maternity wards between 2010 and 2022, according to a study published in the medical research journal JAMA. — Kristin Wright, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Given how locker room dysfunction had sabotaged the 2024-25 campaign, the club valued that latter factor enormously in deciding to promote Foote — and ward him off from joining Rick Tocchet’s staff in Philadelphia. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026 Of course, this doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be bitten all summer; there are various ways to prevent bites and ward them off altogether. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ward
  1. defense
  2. custody
  3. protect
  4. ammunition
  5. care
  6. defend
  7. safeguard
  8. guard
Noun
  • The Broncos’ offensive line consistently won the line of scrimmage, clearing paths for Denver running backs to gash the Falcons’ defense.
    — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • No other position on a Denver defense loaded with talent and experience enters the season with more uncertainty about the pecking order than this one.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of defense
Noun
  • The teen was taken into custody hours later in Ohio, where he is currently held in Miami County and awaiting extradition to Michigan.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Michael Caruso, a 67-year-old Republican whom DeSantis appointed as Palm Beach County’s clerk of courts and comptroller a year ago, was taken into custody by local police and officers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
    — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of custody
Verb
  • The tiny and quick drones are being deployed in an increasing number of school districts – part of a growing school security industry as parents and schools find new ways to protect students and staff from carnage.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Talk through the number, name what feels fair, and choose the version of fun that protects trust.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • Her mother, meanwhile, is backed up by her second husband (Kwon), a mild-mannered documentary filmmaker whose profession gives his wife yet more ammunition in her smiling disparagement of Sanghee.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The ammunition matched the casing that Fort Worth police cadets found near the scene of the shooting, according to the affidavit.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • But even when care is available, stigma can still present a huge barrier.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Alja, who works at an elder care facility, is a bit too eager to host the freeloading Maruša.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of care
Verb
  • High defensive line When playing a back four, Coventry always defend in a 4-4-2.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • After winning the inaugural chess competition at the Esports World Cup (EWC) last year, the Norwegian Grandmaster successfully defended his crown after beating Denis Lazavik in straight sets in the Grand Final in Paris on Saturday.
    — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • Last week, Flock Safety's CEO announced safeguards in response to misuse concerns around the country.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Independent researchers recently examined Roblox chat moderation and found examples of unsafe messages that made it through the platform's existing safeguards.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of safeguard
Verb
  • Right now, firms carefully guard their training data to avoid losing an edge.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026
  • World Liberty is celebrating the major milestone, while critics worry this is a new wrinkle on the classic case of the fox guarding the henhouse that will give corporations and foreign actors a new way to stealthily curry favor with the White House.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard

Browse Nearby Words

war cry
ward
warded
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Cite this Entry

“Ward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ward. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ward

Nglish: Translation of ward for Spanish Speakers

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