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
Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Categories covered by this author include home warranty, gutter guards, pest control, mattresses, roofing, car warranty, home insurance, car insurance, weight loss and hair loss.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Those named included civilian employees, school safety officers, traffic enforcement officers and crossing guards.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Experts recommend covering up with clothing, rash guards, hats and shade.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
The lugs and crown guards are decorated with yet more diamonds.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2026
Rivera testified that when the Colombian commandos arrived at the president’s home, Moïse’s guards threw down their weapons.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
The Kansas Jayhawks may have picked up one of the best guards in the transfer portal Monday morning.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
The guards corroborated the brothers’ stories, again, and again.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The water-resistant outer material guards your essentials against splashes, while elastic straps and multiple pockets help keep your bottles upright.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
In 2019, the height of the rebuild, the Dolphins, who finished 5-11, started five rookies — wide receiver Preston Williams, guards Deiter and Shaq Calhoun, defensive end Wilkins and cornerback Nik Needham.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
The Sparks are pushing to contend for a playoff spot this season after bringing back veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike and guards Ariel Atkins and Wheeler to build one of their deepest rosters in years.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Despite Punch’s departure, TCU was successful in retaining most of its core from the tournament run with All-Big 12 forward Xavier Edmonds, sophomore forward Micah Robinson and guards Brock Harding and Tanner Toolson all announcing their intentions to return to Fort Worth next season.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
Miller joins a young core in Connecticut built around the team’s trio of first-round draftees from the last two seasons — forward Aneesah Morrow and guards Saniya Rivers and Leila Lacan.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
The medication aboard Artemis II is the same as the types found in grocery stores, and features a protective coating that guards it against corrosive stomach acid.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Then Badgers guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd, who had fueled a February upset of the Illini, took over.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
Kennard, Smart fined Kennard and Smart were fined by the NBA for inappropriate conduct toward game officials, the league announced Monday, after the Lakers guards were involved in a postgame dust-up near midcourt on Sunday.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Categories covered by this author include home warranty, gutter guards, pest control, mattresses, roofing, car warranty, home insurance, car insurance, weight loss and hair loss.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Those named included civilian employees, school safety officers, traffic enforcement officers and crossing guards.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Experts recommend covering up with clothing, rash guards, hats and shade.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
The lugs and crown guards are decorated with yet more diamonds.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2026
Rivera testified that when the Colombian commandos arrived at the president’s home, Moïse’s guards threw down their weapons.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
The Kansas Jayhawks may have picked up one of the best guards in the transfer portal Monday morning.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
The guards corroborated the brothers’ stories, again, and again.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
Washington might consider restoring the Fulbright Program, and work on better coordination between the US State Department, which issues visas, and Homeland Security, which guards entry points.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The water-resistant outer material guards your essentials against splashes, while elastic straps and multiple pockets help keep your bottles upright.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
In 2019, the height of the rebuild, the Dolphins, who finished 5-11, started five rookies — wide receiver Preston Williams, guards Deiter and Shaq Calhoun, defensive end Wilkins and cornerback Nik Needham.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
The Sparks are pushing to contend for a playoff spot this season after bringing back veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike and guards Ariel Atkins and Wheeler to build one of their deepest rosters in years.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Despite Punch’s departure, TCU was successful in retaining most of its core from the tournament run with All-Big 12 forward Xavier Edmonds, sophomore forward Micah Robinson and guards Brock Harding and Tanner Toolson all announcing their intentions to return to Fort Worth next season.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
Miller joins a young core in Connecticut built around the team’s trio of first-round draftees from the last two seasons — forward Aneesah Morrow and guards Saniya Rivers and Leila Lacan.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
The medication aboard Artemis II is the same as the types found in grocery stores, and features a protective coating that guards it against corrosive stomach acid.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Then Badgers guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd, who had fueled a February upset of the Illini, took over.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards
Noun
-
The state wardens and other cops who knew and worked with Bob Markle weren’t just honoring his memory by attending his funeral.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Armas said the prison wardens never switched off the lights.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There remains a rotation underway – financials over tech , value over growth , defensives over high-beta stocks – simply not enough to hold the indexes harmless.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Her slightly shorter brunette locks feature a hint of golden highlights that frame her face.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Each container comes with a matching lid with a silicone gasket, which provides an airtight seal and locks in freshness.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hezbollah has introduced fiber-optic drones to its arsenal in the latest escalation with Israel, using nearly invisible cables to control the weapons and bypass Israeli electronic defenses that down other drones.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Militaries have spent years building up their defenses against drone warfare, with one of the most effective methods being the use of electronic jamming to sever the radio connection between the operator and the drone.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both guides included a chart with ideal body weights for men and women and provided some guidance on how to safely lose weight.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Guests travel with multiple tour directors and onboard experts, alongside local guides who provide context at each stop.—
Malika Bowling,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At 6-9, 325, Burke is a massive player who looks to overwhelm defenders on every snap.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dallas dominated the first seven minutes of the middle frame, outshooting the Wild 9-0 and hemming the Minnesota defenders into their own zone for several shifts.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
City Council Speaker Julie Menin deserves credit for advancing legislation that protects synagogues, churches, mosques and other places of worship by deploying safety perimeters keeping protesters at a distance.—
Elliot Cosgrove,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Pro hairstylist Ryan Richman previously described this Briogeo cream as a lightweight, silicone-free heat-protectant cream that minimizes frizz, smooths hair, enhances shine, and protects against heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the United States military blockades the Strait of Hormuz fuel prices rose above $100 dollars a barrel.—
Contessa Brewer,Dawn Giel,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
His death sparked civil unrest in Puerto Vallarta and more than a dozen Mexican states, including Quintana Roo, with cars set on fire and blockades obstructing highways.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guards. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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