1
as in defenses
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 custodies
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 protects
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 wards
Mary Buser, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Measles, tetanus, pertussis, and mumps appeared on exams, not in hospital wards.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
Kiritsis spent 11 years committed to psychiatric wards until his release in January 1988.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Kane County is not alone in considering this sort of measure — Skokie has discussed regulations on them and Chicago aldermen have mulled giving themselves the power to ban short-term home rentals from opening in their wards.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
The pilot program was enacted in the 31st and 41st wards on the Northwest Side, the 12th Ward on the Southwest, and the 7th on the South.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
The federal government has used Medicare funding as a cudgel to get hospitals to follow its priorities before, including as a way to force desegregation of wards in the program's early years.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Millions of uninsured will strain the entire health care system, driving up costs across the board and forcing hundreds of hospitals, maternity wards and nursing homes to close.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
Off the wards, though, things were harder.
—Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
Nor are they provided with their own sets of keys to access infirmaries, clinics, housing units and psych wards.
—Mary Buser, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Measles, tetanus, pertussis, and mumps appeared on exams, not in hospital wards.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
Kiritsis spent 11 years committed to psychiatric wards until his release in January 1988.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Kane County is not alone in considering this sort of measure — Skokie has discussed regulations on them and Chicago aldermen have mulled giving themselves the power to ban short-term home rentals from opening in their wards.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
The pilot program was enacted in the 31st and 41st wards on the Northwest Side, the 12th Ward on the Southwest, and the 7th on the South.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
The federal government has used Medicare funding as a cudgel to get hospitals to follow its priorities before, including as a way to force desegregation of wards in the program's early years.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Millions of uninsured will strain the entire health care system, driving up costs across the board and forcing hundreds of hospitals, maternity wards and nursing homes to close.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
Off the wards, though, things were harder.
—Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wards
Noun
-
McDonald was a game-wrecker for one of the most dominant defenses in the country, earning consensus All-American honors.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The 49ers use their heavy personnel to create mismatches in the passing game when defenses try to stop their running game with base.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined in a federal whistleblower investigation that Balkan Express LLC violated the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which protects commercial motor vehicle safety complaints, according to the release.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Regular sweeping protects floors by removing gritty debris that can scratch and damage finishes.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
O’Hare said a thorough review of the institution will occur to ensure safeguards are in place to protect those in Tarrant County custody, especially juveniles.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
In response to a user prompt, Grok acknowledged lapses in its digital safeguards.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Summit speakers explored the current landscape of business and industry across health care, child care, education, manufacturing and development sectors, by discussing trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s economy.—
Marianne Love,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
But even without a health plan, people will still need medical care.—
Blake Farmer,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Forward Condron and guards Ma, Smith, Maxie and Rose are on the court an average of at least 29 minutes a game this season.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Bechard also guards the opposing team’s top scorer, regardless of that player’s physical makeup.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The video footage did not appear to capture any rocks, bottles or fireworks being thrown at the federal officers or any shields held by the protesters.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Even today, class and education serve as shields from the Delta’s violent culture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ross, who was one of several federal agents involved in the arrest, initially drew his service weapon, but holstered the gun after Muñoz-Guatemala stopped his car and raised his hands, according to the affidavit.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The deadly shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in a residential neighborhood in south Minneapolis has brought back painful memories of another high-profile incident in which a civilian died at the hands of a law enforcement officer.—
Jonah Kaplan,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Electronic Frontier Foundation, which describes itself as a nonprofit that defends digital privacy, free speech and innovation, previously said the bill is too vague in defining what counts as negligence by a social media company and could result in broad censorship.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In a 2025 prison interview included in the documentary, Young defends his treatments and denies making anyone sick or discouraging his patients from seeing their doctors.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wards. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
