1
as in wardens
a person or group that watches over someone or something
checked in with the security guard at the gate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in defensives
a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack
be on your guard against snakes in the swamp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in locks
a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation
slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in defenses
means or method of defending
the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in guides
one that accompanies another for protection, guidance, or as a courtesy
the honor guards raised their sabers as the happy couple descended the church steps
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in defenders
someone that protects
a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from
guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blockades
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point
a fire-breathing dragon guarded the entrance to the castle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guards
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Nicolas Peyrin, deputy secretary general of the prison guards’ union, told CNN affiliate BFMTV that the additional security provided for the former president was not needed.
—Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Alarms screeched and guards raced to the gallery as the thieves ran off, fleeing on lightning-fast Yamaha scooters.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Two players who drew praise Tuesday from McKillop were transfer guards — Parker Friedrichsen, a 6-4 junior who played last year at Wake Forest; and Sam Brown, a 6-3 junior who came to Davidson from Penn.
—Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Memphis has also monitored the free-agent market for veteran guards who could provide immediate stability, though no signing appears imminent.
—Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Such is life with Damian Lillard gone and with a slew of unproven guards remaining.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
But while supplementing the loss of three All-SEC-level guards, coach Todd Golden turned to the transfer portal, bringing in top-30 prospects Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Princeton).
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
State and local officials are investigating a Seattle-area corrections department after a whistleblower alleged the county was hiring unqualified immigrants as guards, according to a complaint filed with Washington state authorities.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The edit suite looks like a dorm room, full of fanboy figurines like a life-size Funko Pop of Stranger Things’ protagonist Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) that guards the front door in her blonde wig, clutching her favorite snack, Eggo waffles.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Cleveland guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, along with Tennessee’s Kevin Zeitler, may be available to help fill the massive hole in Denver’s offensive line left by Ben Powers’ injury.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Heat guards Terry Rozier (strained left hamstring) and Herro (left ankle surgery), and forward Simone Fontecchio (left lower leg tightness) were held out of practice on Tuesday and aren’t expected to play in Wednesday’s preseason game.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Starting center Cooper Beebe, left tackle Tyler Guyton, and guards Tyler Booker and Tyler Smith were all out.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
That second tier of the East, the one the Pistons are hoping to join, is ripe for the Magic, a tough-minded, young team that already guards like one of the NBA’s elite.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This coating guards the grapes against bacteria and fungi.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
While the Kremlin closely guards its economic data, independent analyses show debt is soaring, while growth is cooling.
—semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
In 1990, for example, two robbers dressed as Boston police officers talked their way into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, restrained the guards and made off with 13 pieces of artwork 81 minutes later.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Nicolas Peyrin, deputy secretary general of the prison guards’ union, told CNN affiliate BFMTV that the additional security provided for the former president was not needed.
—Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Alarms screeched and guards raced to the gallery as the thieves ran off, fleeing on lightning-fast Yamaha scooters.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Two players who drew praise Tuesday from McKillop were transfer guards — Parker Friedrichsen, a 6-4 junior who played last year at Wake Forest; and Sam Brown, a 6-3 junior who came to Davidson from Penn.
—Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Memphis has also monitored the free-agent market for veteran guards who could provide immediate stability, though no signing appears imminent.
—Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Such is life with Damian Lillard gone and with a slew of unproven guards remaining.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
But while supplementing the loss of three All-SEC-level guards, coach Todd Golden turned to the transfer portal, bringing in top-30 prospects Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Princeton).
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
State and local officials are investigating a Seattle-area corrections department after a whistleblower alleged the county was hiring unqualified immigrants as guards, according to a complaint filed with Washington state authorities.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
According to a team press release, Utah has cut floor-stretching center Mo Bamba plus guards Pedro Bradshaw and Sean East II, just days prior to the start of Utah's season.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The edit suite looks like a dorm room, full of fanboy figurines like a life-size Funko Pop of Stranger Things’ protagonist Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) that guards the front door in her blonde wig, clutching her favorite snack, Eggo waffles.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Cleveland guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, along with Tennessee’s Kevin Zeitler, may be available to help fill the massive hole in Denver’s offensive line left by Ben Powers’ injury.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Heat guards Terry Rozier (strained left hamstring) and Herro (left ankle surgery), and forward Simone Fontecchio (left lower leg tightness) were held out of practice on Tuesday and aren’t expected to play in Wednesday’s preseason game.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Starting center Cooper Beebe, left tackle Tyler Guyton, and guards Tyler Booker and Tyler Smith were all out.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
That second tier of the East, the one the Pistons are hoping to join, is ripe for the Magic, a tough-minded, young team that already guards like one of the NBA’s elite.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This coating guards the grapes against bacteria and fungi.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
While the Kremlin closely guards its economic data, independent analyses show debt is soaring, while growth is cooling.
—semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
-
The Clermont County Animal Shelter took possession of the animals after they were recovered by the wardens.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
-
In partnership with the West Virginia Division of Corrections, Smith trained over 230 sergeants in a single year, followed by sessions for lieutenants, captains, and wardens.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, a deterioration in economic conditions will mean investors should add to traditional defensives and low-beta stocks, which are less volatile than the broader market.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Similar to its loose setting powder sibling, Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder locks in makeup in seconds, complete with a subtly dewy finish that keeps oil at bay without completely ditching the glow.—
Deanna Pai,
Allure,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Before the April 2024 incident, according to the documents, Taylor had threatened employees of the office, and the office had changed its locks because of those threats.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Iran — much like Venezuela — has air defenses against drones.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Your immune system also uses sleep to recharge its defenses.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Stargazers may also want to check out our guides to the top telescope and binocular deals available in 2025.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Upon arrival at Santa Cruz Island, the guides provide all that’s needed to explore sea caves by kayak, plus the extraordinary opportunity to snorkel through the giant kelp forests.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Bearzot didn’t select a replacement for Antognoni, instead playing both Gentile and Bergomi and switching to a system featuring five defenders in front of 40-year-old goalkeeper Dino Zoff, the side’s captain.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Smolen scrambled and threw a high pass into the end zone, where Thompson was smothered by three defenders.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Covering cilantro with cloches and adding mulch around your plants protects them from chilly weather.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The justices found the organization’s policy violated the state’s Human Rights Act, which protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Road blockades, traffic slowdowns and other protests were widespread – from the southern port city of Marseille to Lille and Caen in the north, and from Nantes and Rennes in the west to Grenoble and Lyon in the southeast.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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