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

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

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

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
For specialized medical needs, the center also houses a 24-hour nursery, a respiratory ward, and a complete surgical suite with a recovery room. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026 Tokyo is made up of 23 smaller cities, or wards, each with its own leaders, rules and regulations. — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 29 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
  • American forces have moved additional missile defenses and munitions into the region.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • On Monday, as Palacios wrapped up his second-day of testimony under cross-examination by Sanon’s defense lawyer Humberto Dominguez, Désir made his initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Miami across the street.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of defense
Noun
  • Police in northwest Indiana are searching for a man who escaped from custody after he was taken to the hospital after trying to disarm a police officer by grabbing his Taser during a traffic stop over the weekend.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Abeyta remains in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of custody
Verb
  • Made with a breathable bamboo-viscose surface and waterproof barrier, it's designed to protect against spills without the uncomfortable crinkling of traditional mattress covers.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The 100 percent polyester fabric is light, yet durable enough to protect you from unpredictable autumn weather.
    — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • Ukraine’s general staff said Monday that Russia’s military had bolstered its drone defenses and replenished ammunition supplies in the area during the ceasefire.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • During the search, officers allegedly found an AK-47 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, over 350 rounds of ammunition and 40 bags of fentanyl, police said.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • Scientists are exploring whether the flu vaccine can disrupt tumors, providing another treatment along with expensive cutting-edge care.
    — Elie Dolgin, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • For example, someone may use your insurance information to obtain treatment, leaving behind records that could affect future care or insurance claims.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of care
Verb
  • The official also said developing different weapon systems was increasingly urgent, arguing that the country’s armed forces needed to defend national security and deter external threats.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Moon’s square to Uranus favors responding to the new situation instead of defending the original promise.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • In terms of safeguards, Duncan told us, CPS would need to develop a clear policy.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Nevertheless, those safeguard processes haven’t made all the neighbors happy.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of safeguard
Verb
  • Tempers seemed to flare between Flemings and Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • In Serbia, armed police could be seen guarding the bank's offices in Belgrade after dozens of customers stood in long lines over the weekend trying to withdraw their savings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of guard

Browse Nearby Words

war cry
ward
warded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ward. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All