SAFEGUARD Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'safeguard' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of safeguard are defend , guard , protect , and shield . While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger. // our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Q: When might 'defend' be a better fit than 'safeguard'?

While the synonyms defend and safeguard are close in meaning, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack. // defend the country

Q: When is it sensible to use 'guard' instead of 'safeguard'?

Although the words guard and safeguard have much in common, guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger. // White House entrances are well guarded

Q: When is 'protect' a more appropriate choice than 'safeguard'?

The words protect and safeguard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure. // a hard hat to protect your head

Q: When could 'shield' be used to replace 'safeguard'?

The synonyms shield and safeguard are sometimes interchangeable, but shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack. // shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

safeguard 1 of 2

noun

ˈsāf-ˌgärd

Definition of safeguard next

as in protection

means or method of defending with these safeguards in place, no one should be able to break into our computers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in precaution

a measure taken to preclude loss or injury safeguards that were intended to assure our security, but not at the expense of our liberty

Synonyms & Similar Words

safeguard

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect

to drive danger or attack away from sheepdogs safeguard the flock from attacks by wolves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word safeguard different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of safeguard are defend, guard, protect, and shield. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

When might defend be a better fit than safeguard?

While the synonyms defend and safeguard are close in meaning, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When is it sensible to use guard instead of safeguard?

Although the words guard and safeguard have much in common, guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

When is protect a more appropriate choice than safeguard?

The words protect and safeguard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

When could shield be used to replace safeguard?

The synonyms shield and safeguard are sometimes interchangeable, but shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of safeguard

Noun

Congressional Democrats resurrected efforts to add the amendment as a safeguard for women’s rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. —

Peter Baker, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 The military’s professional culture of civilian control and constitutional fidelity, consistently upheld by the courts, provides another safeguard. —

Victor Menaldo, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025

Verb

Catching a problem early and acting on it can keep your team members and customers out of harm’s way and can safeguard peoples’ trust in your brand. —

Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025 The ancient monument will be sent to the Forensic Investigations Sub-Directorate of Northern Greece to be further examined in a laboratory before eventually being safeguarded by the Ephorate of Antiquities, police said. —

Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for safeguard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeguard

Noun

Former President Biden reinstated and extended the protection in 2021, Bolton said.

— Filip Timotija, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
Trump’s speech reflected his plan to roll back protections for transgender people and terminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government.

— Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2025