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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attack
• assault
• offense
• aggression
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ward

Noun

The outage occurred while his team was conducting an energy audit in the maternity ward. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Nearby, Peter Munyao, a Kibera resident of more than 20 years, runs a public toilet in the Lindi ward, next to a water selling point. — Raul Roman, NPR, 25 July 2026

Verb

Of course, this doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be bitten all summer; there are various ways to prevent bites and ward them off altogether. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Mar. 2026

The grackles seek safety in numbers, and often choose to roost in suburban or urban areas with heavy foot traffic in order to ward of predators. — Sara Diggins, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026