guardian

noun

ˈgär-dē-ən How to pronounce guardian (audio)
Definition of guardiannext
1
as in custodian
a person or group that watches over someone or something the state became his guardian when he was put into protective custody

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2
as in keeper
a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner the guardians of the summer estate awaited the return of the tycoon

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3
as in protector
someone that protects the editor defended his newspaper's unrelenting exposure of government corruption, arguing that it is journalism's role to act as a guardian of democracy

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4
as in caregiver
a person who has responsibility for the care of another when her parents died, her aunt became her legal guardian

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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 guardian Summary Wills are crucial for estate planning, defining how property is distributed, appointing executors, and designating guardians for dependents. — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Any arrangements related to LifeWise are made between the organization and parents or guardians. — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Now, only parents or legal guardians who don’t have any signs or symptoms of measles will be allowed in the NICU or its nearby children’s hospital. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 Kind of like Optimus Prime himself, Cullen was a true guardian of a character who still means so much to so many people. — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guardian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardian
  1. custodian
  2. keeper
  3. protector
  4. caregiver
  5. guard
  6. warden
  7. defender
  8. caretaker
Noun
  • Every year Jim Evans faces the challenge of keeping health care costs reasonable for the more than 400 teachers, custodians and bus drivers at Concord Community Schools.
    — Alex Olgin, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Three men with very different vested interests across their roles as player, broadcaster and custodian.
    — Ben Jones Aug. 26, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • Allison Rugila, associate Sound keeper with Save the Sound, said that the presence of dolphins in the Long Island Sound points to both an ecological success story and a potential warning about the impacts of climate change.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Fans were still filing in, braving 90-degree heat with novelty beer swords in hand, as Maiava moved USC methodically down the field, punching in a one-yard keeper for an early score.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • The intervention underscores Russia’s new role as protector of military regimes across the Sahel, where Africa Corps has replaced Wagner and prioritizes keeping juntas in power over battling insurgent groups.
    — Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Naturally, Dany, Pau, and Ale have become fierce protectors of this empire, working overtime for the sheer love of it.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The average sandwich caregiver spends 24 hours a week arranging, coordinating, and providing care, rising to 27 hours for mothers.
    — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • Patterson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, has experience at guard and center, and the 49ers needed a backup at both spots considering Toth’s lingering concussion symptoms.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • So the first-year guard had to wait around and trust that his new team would figure out a way to get him in the door.
    — Tony East, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard
Noun
  • There is no word on when the search for a new warden will commence.
    — Christopher DeRose, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But to Bill Donnelly, the service’s warden, New Jersey’s fire season, like North America’s, can feel unending.
    — Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • That ability to learn may ultimately separate successful defenders from unsuccessful ones.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Miami got off to a promising start, taking a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute when Casemiro, who lined up as a center back, leaped above Montreal defenders and scored on a header off a Telasco Segovia corner kick.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • The sharpest criticism of the deal came from Venezuelan opposition figures, who argue that a caretaker administration installed after a foreign military operation has no standing to sign away a century of oil rights.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The aquarium said Peekachu initially appeared to be adapting to her new surroundings, eating seafood offered by caretakers and exploring her habitat.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of caretaker

Phrases Containing guardian

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guardhouses
guardian
guardian angel
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Cite this Entry

“Guardian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guardian. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guardian

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