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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ward
Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
On my pediatric hospital ward, those concerns are not theoretical.
—Sarah Marsicek, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Utilities like ComEd and Peoples Gas also got to work on Thursday to ward against the incoming frigid air.
—Laura Bannon, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ward
Noun
Maternity wards in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo that are close to mining operations report significantly more birth defects than those farther away.
—Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
On my pediatric hospital ward, those concerns are not theoretical.
—Sarah Marsicek, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Alfred initially refused to allow the officers inside the psych ward with their firearms, but later admitted the cops after his supervisor, NYCHHC Officer Michael Kee, 53, arrived at the scene, according to sources.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Utilities like ComEd and Peoples Gas also got to work on Thursday to ward against the incoming frigid air.
—Laura Bannon, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ward
Noun
-
During her first two-plus seasons on the local stage in Lemont, Pontrelli has been a standout from her impressive offensive stats to her versatility on defense.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
The Knicks also targeted the 7-footer on defense, repeatedly using pick-and-rolls to get Embiid matched up with point guard Jalen Brunson, who erupted for 35 points in 31 minutes.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
After Navarro filed a complaint alleging the work had been wrongly kept from her, a Madrid judge, acting with the support of prosecutors, ordered Spain’s Ministry of Culture to take custody of it citing its potential importance to the country’s historical heritage.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
How Talley had access to the gun after being in the custody of officers and subject to a metal-detecting search by hospital personnel remains mysterious.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Even without federal limits on chemicals like PFAS, states have the authority to protect public health and the environment.—
DYLAN JACKSON,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
Doing so, officials say, helps protect not only those rolling up their sleeves but those who cannot get vaccinated, such as the very youngest children.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
When Yoon was in office, Kim was embroiled in a series of scandals that hurt her husband’s approval rating and provided relentless political ammunition to his rivals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
When Yoon was in office, Kim was embroiled in scandals that hurt her husband’s approval rating and provided political ammunition to his rivals.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And on Monday, the ship operator said two crew members — one British, one Dutch — had acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe but both requiring urgent medical care.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
The data tells us that millions of families cannot afford the cost of care.—
Franklyn Baker,
Baltimore Sun,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
By the second quarter, Philadelphia was done defending him.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
Giuliani’s time in office was marked by a crackdown on crime, but race relations eroded as Giuliani defended the police against accusations of bias and brutality.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Graf further noted that safeguards are already in place to protect the integrity of the proceedings, including limits on camera placement, courtroom decorum rules and restrictions on what attorneys can say publicly about the case.—
Adam Sabes , Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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That means rules for high-risk uses of AI in employment, housing, lending, health care, education and public services, strong consumer privacy protections, safeguards against deepfakes and fraud and special protections for children.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Ausar Thompson, who finished third in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting, guarded Mitchell on Tuesday.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
These sites also largely guard your data, sharing it only with their clients rather than with a wide group of affiliated companies.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ward. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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