WARDS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

wards 1 of 2

noun

plural of ward

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

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

wards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ward

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

Noun

Moreau made a tool to measure the depth and heights of the wards, to make a replica of what the original key probably looked like. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 In response to Stewart’s presentation, several alderpersons expressed their appreciation of local law enforcement and the work done to facilitate emergency response efforts across all nine wards. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 In wards 6 and 7, Dave Tamayo and Heidi Sanborn, respectively, are running unopposed. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026 In participatory budgeting, several wards, as well as the Chicago Park District, set aside portions of discretionary funds for projects endorsed by residents. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 Scenes with the ward’s young women are where the film truly excels, undeniably a result of Khan and Le Querec’s months-long immersion inside real-life psychiatric wards. — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 That has changed quietly, with robots now performing important roles in operating rooms, hospital wards, rehabilitation centers, and corridors around the world. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 And more than 500 hospitals closed maternity wards between 2010 and 2022, according to a study published in the medical research journal JAMA. — Kristin Wright, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 That applies to organisations such as cafes, leisure centres, gyms and hairdressers, as well as public toilets, local sports clubs with at least 25 members, hospital wards, domestic violence shelters and rape-crisis shelters. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wards

Noun

For now, the study identifies a previously underappreciated part of the immune system that could help overcome one of SCLC’s most persistent defenses.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
The restriction disrupted operations, including making the slower-flying attack drones easier targets for Russian defenses.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of defenses

Noun

While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
The foundation has also supported Dell Children’s Medical Center, which opened in 2007, and the Dell Pediatric Research Institute, helping expand access to specialized children’s care and medical research in the region.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of care

Verb

The Idaho Consumer Protection Act, enacted in 1971, protects consumers from false, deceptive or misleading representations, advertising, pricing and contracts.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026
Rules finalized in 2024 also provided recognition that Title IX protects LGBTQ+ students and made live hearings optional.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of protects

Noun

This type of structured risk assessment is already extensively used in industry through HAZOP reviews, where potential deviations, causes, consequences and safeguards are systematically examined before a process is put into operation.

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Doomsday warnings about its risks have now become impossible to ignore, and protestors are taking to the streets to demand stronger safeguards.

— Rumman Chowdhury, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Noun

But the power this concentrates in the hands of one corporation and person – SpaceX and Musk – has raised alarm bells.

— Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese and blue cheese in a bowl with gloved hands or in a food processor until blended.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of hands

Noun

Swarms of police officers descended from helicopters and beat them with billy clubs and metal shields.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
In Paris, tear gas filled the air, and trash cans, school desks and chairs were set alight as riot police with shields and batons clashed with some demonstrators.

— Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026