GUARDS Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

guards 1 of 2

noun

plural of guard

as in wardens

a person or group that watches over someone or something checked in with the security guard at the gate

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as in defensives

a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack be on your guard against snakes in the swamp

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offensives

as in locks

a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain

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as in defenses

means or method of defending the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard

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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

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as in defenders

someone that protects a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

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guards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of guard

as in protects

to drive danger or attack away from guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

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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

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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 guards

Noun

Three of the jail guards sustained minor injuries and scratches, Bland said. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 Health officials also advised residents to place draft guards underneath doors, make sure exterior doors closed tightly and keep doors and unscreened windows closed, especially while sleeping. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 To make room on the roster, the Dream waived guards Aaliyah Nye and Jaylyn Sherrod. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 At that time, the border between Qasr and Khanaqin had little security, and most of the time the guards weren’t even at their posts. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 Police reinforcements were called late Saturday to the temporary accommodation center for asylum seekers in Sintiki, a few kilometers (miles) from the Bulgarian border, after migrants threw rocks at guards, according to police. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 The slew of players who make up those units — from guards Josh Priebe and DJ Campbell to tackles Gottlieb Ayedze, Marques Cox and Kevin Cline — just haven’t showed enough to be viable backups if a starter misses extended time. — Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 The Chargers’ unofficial depth chart last week listed Awosika, Taylor and Slaughter as the top three left guards. — Elliott Teaford, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 The moment sparked a brief exchange between the two star guards, though television microphones did not clearly pick up what was said. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

Anthropic closely guards its training data sources, but music publishers think the court should require more transparency. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 Liberty guards Marine Johannes and Pauline Astier are both looking forward to the opportunity to represent France during the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup tournament. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 Rookie guards Tonie Morgan, a former developmental player who signed a standard contract recently, and Chance Gray, the team’s second-round draft pick, both added eight points each. — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026 Hal Jordan is the chief Green Lantern of planet Earth at this time, part of an intergalactic policing organization that guards sectors of the cosmos. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, on the neighboring field, Purdy had finished his initial reps by the time the 49ers’ offense, particularly guards Robert Jones and Dominick Puni, got into a scrum with the Titans. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 Shrine guards flick sticks with ostrich feathers at female pilgrims lingering too long in the shade to try to keep the flow of people moving. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026 The caterpillar even guards the wasp’s cocoons before eventually dying. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026 There’s this belief in the NFL that the more a player thinks about injuries, guards themselves to prevent them, the more they are destined to happen. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guards

Noun

The encounter fortunately ended without anyone being injured, but Parks Canada wardens were able to identify the hikers after the video was posted online and racked up millions of views.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — Game wardens, rescue boat teams and helicopters with hoist capability to assist with water rescues.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of wardens

Noun

The sixth-year forward is an athletic rebounder and has learned to fill the gaps created by defenses focusing on Wilson in the frontcourt.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
From 2022-24, Lewis was the mastermind of Alabama State’s defenses that once rivaled the Rattlers atop the FCS and SWAC.

— John Devine, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of defenses

Noun

Two major style guides for the tech industry do now include entries about male/female language, both prohibiting the usage.

— Jo Mackiewicz, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Students can then create flashcards, quizzes, study guides, audio overviews and infographics from resources selected by their teacher.

— Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of guides

Noun

The All-Pro defensive tackle agrees to a six-year, $135-million deal, which surpasses Von Miller’s contract in Denver as the new benchmark for defenders.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
El Sayed’s defenders have sought to justify the comments, noting the attacker lost family in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of defenders

Verb

There's no question that the United States has a credible threat of force, but the blockade really blockades ourselves as well as Iran.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
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