1
as in defense
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
2
as in custody
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
as in to protect
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 ward
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Composed of Santa Ana residents appointed by council members from their respective wards, the committee has had three seats vacant, preventing it from meeting.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2026
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Utilities like ComEd and Peoples Gas also got to work on Thursday to ward against the incoming frigid air.
—Laura Bannon, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ward
Noun
Silverstein announced last year that a national grocery chain was coming to the ward — which also includes much of the West Ridge or West Rogers Park community across the North Shore Channel.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Composed of Santa Ana residents appointed by council members from their respective wards, the committee has had three seats vacant, preventing it from meeting.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Alfred initially refused to allow the officers inside the psych ward with their firearms, but later admitted the cops after his supervisor, NYCHHC Officer Michael Kee, 53, arrived at the scene, according to sources.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Utilities like ComEd and Peoples Gas also got to work on Thursday to ward against the incoming frigid air.
—Laura Bannon, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ward
Noun
-
When heathy, Kancey has been a big part of the Bucs defense.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But the shortages of Patriot defense systems remain a concern amid reports that the Pentagon is considering diverting advanced defensive weapons earmarked for Ukraine to the Middle East.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After Navarro filed a complaint alleging the work had been wrongly kept from her, a Madrid judge, acting with the support of prosecutors, ordered Spain’s Ministry of Culture to take custody of it citing its potential importance to the country’s historical heritage.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
How Talley had access to the gun after being in the custody of officers and subject to a metal-detecting search by hospital personnel remains mysterious.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The best carry-ons are durable enough to protect delicate items inside and withstand wear and tear, compact yet spacious enough to meet airline guidelines while providing room for all your essentials, and lightweight enough to lift into overhead bins.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The two then embarked on a torrid love affair, but the dynamic between them shifted violently when Nancy discovered that her husband was actually trying to protect her rather than divorce her.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When Yoon was in office, Kim was embroiled in a series of scandals that hurt her husband’s approval rating and provided relentless political ammunition to his rivals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
When Yoon was in office, Kim was embroiled in scandals that hurt her husband’s approval rating and provided political ammunition to his rivals.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Detroit failed to take care of the ball when the Magic scored 23 points off 20 takeaways.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Older adults tend to begin treatment within a month of symptoms starting — but young adults face an average seven-month delay before getting care.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By March, Ukraine had dispatched more than two hundred military experts to help Persian Gulf nations defend against Iranian drone attacks.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Helping defend Detroit star Cade Cunningham, Wagner recorded four of Orlando’s eight steals.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some have branded it unsafe and unworkable, citing their concerns around potential coercion of vulnerable people and a lack of safeguards for those with disabilities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The provision directs the Judicial Conference, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, to report to Congress within 180 days on whether organized jury nullification efforts are affecting federal jury management and on the safeguards that exist to address them.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anunoby began the series primarily guarding 6-10 center Onyeka Okongwu, a shooting threat who thrives at the pick-and-pop.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Lakers guard Jerry West hits a 60-foot desperation shot at the buzzer to tie Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ward. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
