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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of ward
Emily Feng, NPR, 27 July 2025
The neonatal ward here crams three babies into a single crib.
—Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Try candles or sprays scented with citronella, lemon, or vanilla to ward them off.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ward
Noun
The one remaining pediatric ward treating malnutrition in Gaza closed down this month, citing a lack of food and medical supplies.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 27 July 2025
The neonatal ward here crams three babies into a single crib.
—Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Verb
To ward her off and save the town, Chuck has to find the key to her home - 825 Forest Road.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Try candles or sprays scented with citronella, lemon, or vanilla to ward them off.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ward
Noun
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Jennings is a very useful player in a defense that prioritizes defenders who can eat up space and set the edge against the run.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
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The key rotation on offense and defense was pretty much settled after two straight playoff runs.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Police in Austin, Texas, have identified the 32-year-old man taken into custody in connection with the deadly shooting outside of a Target store on Monday, Aug. 11.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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Thomas Herbst, 57, was taken into custody following the sentencing hearing in Somerset County, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced in a press release.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The archipelago, protected as a national park, hums with quiet life—salt flats blush rose in the heat, and mangroves cradle herons in leafy stillness.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The original bronze statue—the first in the world—was erected in 1980 at the same location but was moved indoors in 1996 to the downtown Memphis Tennessee State Welcome Center to protect it from the elements and over-adoring fans.—
Korrin Bishop,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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During the tow, a live 5.7mm caliber round of ammunition was found next to the vehicle’s rear passenger side tire.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
14 Aug. 2025
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The Vinson used its fighter jets to attack targets in Yemen — including weapons, ammunition and infrastructure — and Houthi leadership.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Through it all, the mission has stayed constant: environmental stewardship and community care.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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But Black parents have had to quit or pass up a job twice as often as white parents due to child care complications.—
Theodore A. Moore,
New York Daily News,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The iconic fighter defended his son following his arrest, but has not spoken since the deportation.—
Fabiola Sanchez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
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But market exchange has become hopelessly entangled with national security, and the United States must now defend its interests in a world in which other powers can leverage chokepoints of their own.—
HENRY FARRELL,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As of July 2025, that number surged to 451 voluntary participants — a staggering increase of over 3,500% that underscores the growing need for safeguards in the digital gambling era.—
Ethan Hylton,
IndyStar,
20 Aug. 2025
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The anti-coercion instrument is encumbered with legalistic safeguards intended to ensure that the European Commission will not deploy it without sufficient approval from EU member states.—
HENRY FARRELL,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The top priority–trumping everything else, including profits–is that all of us continue to zealously guard Berkshire’s reputation.—
Jane Swift,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
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Agency employees are greeting the news, unveiled at an all hands meeting on Monday, with guarded optimism and relief.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ward. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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