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
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
Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Medical staff across the country have reported casualties from their wards to doctors and activists outside Iran, who have estimated that the real death toll is much higher.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Horror seems cathartic, or psychically protective—a safe ritual that admits the reality of violence and cruelty while also warding it off, like a ceremonial demon mask.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ward
Noun
Just keep in mind that the interior maternity ward rooms sitting around the courtyard are privy to some noise bubbling up from the restaurant below, though only the lightest of sleepers are likely to notice.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Medical staff across the country have reported casualties from their wards to doctors and activists outside Iran, who have estimated that the real death toll is much higher.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
To ward off negative publicity, sportsbooks trumpet their programs for responsible gaming.
—Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Horror seems cathartic, or psychically protective—a safe ritual that admits the reality of violence and cruelty while also warding it off, like a ceremonial demon mask.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ward
Noun
-
Over the past decade, member states of the European Union – of which the UK is not a member – have already doubled their defense expenditures, but more spending is needed, the defense chiefs argued.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
This shift enables reactive defense systems, such as satellite hulls that intentionally heat to harden against incoming micrometeorite impacts.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Southboro Police Department for booking.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The men, identified only as Oakland residents, were taken into custody.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Legal experts say the court records and videos show that the administration is often abusing the law to target activities protected by the First Amendment, rather than using it to defend federal officers.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In areas within the USDA hardiness zones, a 2 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch will help protect roots and maintain the moisture level in the soil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Units can load it with ammunition, rations, medical kits, or other critical equipment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The suspect, Carter Camacho of Smyrna, Georgia, was charged with unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, possessing an unregistered firearm and possessing unregistered ammunition, police said.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Child-care fraud in Minnesota is one of many examples, and Minnesota is only one of many states with lax control of welfare spending.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The survey, which takes about one to two minutes to complete, invites parents and primary caregivers to share their experiences with child care, pediatric and mental health access, cost of living, long commutes and other everyday challenges.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, a flurry of moves during the summer window made LAFC among the obvious favorites to compete for the league championship, primarily because Son’s influence made Cherundolo’s defend-and-transition tactics lethal.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
To defend these rights, our justices must have expertise, independence, and experience.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Regarding the involvement of former CEOs in institutional decision-making, Molinaroli notes that their practical insights could be tapped more frequently through diverse councils, clear mandates, and rigorous conflict-of-interest safeguards to prevent undue influence.—
Nia Bowers,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
-
This lawsuit is a necessary constitutional safeguard.—
Chris Alexander,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The other two are occupied by undrafted rookie guards Curtis Jones and Tamar Bates.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Rookie guards Max Shulga and John Tonje, the latter acquired from Utah in the Boucher trade, are Boston’s other two-way players.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ward. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
