as in guards
a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation
the gun couldn't be fired as long as the safety was on
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of safeties
And then there’s Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward, two hard-hitting safeties, a swarm of the fastest linebackers in football and on and on and on.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Starting safeties Brian Branch (suspended) and Kerby Joseph (knee) are both out.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
On defense, Michigan played without safeties Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman, who dressed for the game but came out in street clothes after halftime.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Opponents believe Stafford’s arm strength remains good, inducing them to line up two safeties deep.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Not the team’s 14-month inability to solve defenses playing two high safeties.
—Barry Jackson
updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Auburn’s red-zone defense has been strong, but its pass coverage from linebackers and safeties has been a weak point, potentially creating an area Missouri could exploit if quarterback Beau Pribula settles in early.
—Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
The Sailors positioned two safeties deep in zone and played man defense underneath, Burns said.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Starting safeties Brian Branch (suspended) and Kerby Joseph (knee) are both out.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
On defense, Michigan played without safeties Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman, who dressed for the game but came out in street clothes after halftime.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Opponents believe Stafford’s arm strength remains good, inducing them to line up two safeties deep.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Not the team’s 14-month inability to solve defenses playing two high safeties.
—Barry Jackson
updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Auburn’s red-zone defense has been strong, but its pass coverage from linebackers and safeties has been a weak point, potentially creating an area Missouri could exploit if quarterback Beau Pribula settles in early.
—Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
The Sailors positioned two safeties deep in zone and played man defense underneath, Burns said.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeties
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Safeties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeties. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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