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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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
Moreau made a tool to measure the depth and heights of the wards, to make a replica of what the original key probably looked like. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 Nisha was discovered by Karthik three years ago, and has been hiding her Avatar powers as his ward. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
Alicent first sent Daeron to ward at Oldtown, the seat of House Hightower, under the previous lord, Hobert Hightower (Steffan Rhodri). — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026 Try candles or sprays scented with citronella, lemon, or vanilla to ward them off. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 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 drills include amphibious landing, air and missile defense and mine sweeping, as well as intelligence gathering, logistics and resupply and casualty evacuation on several remote islands, including Tanegashima.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The combination of Chance downing teams inside the 10-yard line combined with a suffocating defense could be a recipe for success for TCU in the final half of the season.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of defense
Noun
  • Muñoz was put in handcuffs in his pajamas and taken into federal custody downtown.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In a statement released by Acton's campaign, her brother, Philip Stearns, said the two were removed from their mother Donna Arthur's custody as children after their stepfather, Arthur's husband, was indicted for raping Acton as a child.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of custody
Verb
  • More missiles, many more options This would significantly expand the ship’s ability to protect an entire naval task group, rather than primarily concentrating on defending itself and nearby assets.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Russia imposed temporary export controls on helium in April to protect its domestic supply.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • Investigators later seized three guns and ammunition from Bjornholt’s home.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Paporakis had hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition and a manifesto expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, police said.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The foundation has also supported Dell Children’s Medical Center, which opened in 2007, and the Dell Pediatric Research Institute, helping expand access to specialized children’s care and medical research in the region.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of care
Verb
  • Its formula features Concentrated Miracle Broth, antioxidant-rich Lime Tea Concentrate, and Clarity Algae to help defend against free radicals and improve discoloration.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking a second term in January, has repeatedly defended his decision to scrap a years-long subsidy program in 2023 to avoid wasteful spending and invest in infrastructure development.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • The latest incidents, which follow a slew of reports of agents unexpectedly breaking out of sandboxes, showcased how even the safeguards built to corral AI systems are vulnerable to the technology.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In both cases, the AI agents considered whether monitoring safeguards should be preserved but interpreted routine coding instructions as permission to weaken them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of safeguard
Verb
  • The Heat’s four Exhibit 10 contract players are Ausar, center Kylor Kelley, forward Gabe Madsen and guard Bez Mbeng.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The most direct tribute to Tippett came in the battle against two giant droids guarding an overlord’s chamber.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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