Synonyms of ward

ward 1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯrd 

1

as in defense

means or method of defending

frequent hand washing is an oft-recommended ward against the spread of common germs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defense
• ammunition
• safeguard
• shield
• protection
• wall
• weapon
• screen
• guard
• security
• armor
• aegis
• egis
• buckler
• stronghold
• cover
• arm
• fort
• fortress
• armament
• munitions
• weaponry
• palisade
• fastness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attack
• assault
• offense
• aggression
• offence
• offensive

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

• custody
• care
• guardianship
• control
• safekeeping
• custodianship
• hand(s)
• management
• trust
• keeping
• supervision
• superintendence
• governorship

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protect
• defend
• guard
• safeguard
• shield
• fend
• fence
• keep
• secure
• save
• prevent
• screen
• bulwark
• stand up for
• forfend
• war
• cover
• avert
• oppose
• preserve
• resist
• fight
• withstand
• conserve
• contend
• battle
• picket
• wall
• buffer
• palisade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attack
• assault
• assail
• beset
• cave
• overrun
• submit
• storm
• yield
• bombard
• besiege
• capitulate

Examples of ward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Both wards cover portions of Cupertino and Sunnyvale; ward 4 also include Los Altos and Mountain View. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2024

Yes, but: Smaller nonprofit hospitals, especially in rural areas, that made it through the crisis with the help of government aid are paring services like maternity wards and struggling to stay open. —Tina Reed, Axios, 6 Aug. 2024

Verb

As my colleagues reported, the Biden administration and European allies are working on a longer-term, multilateral plan aimed at warding against this scenario and future-proofing support for Ukraine. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2024

Pieces of fence, strips of caution tape and trash cans ward the curious — and even the mail carrier — away. —Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2024