GUARD Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'guard' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of guard are defend , protect , safeguard , and shield . While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger. // White House entrances are well guarded

Q: In what contexts can 'defend' take the place of 'guard'?

The words defend and guard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack. // defend the country

Q: When can 'protect' be used instead of 'guard'?

While the synonyms protect and guard are close in meaning, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure. // a hard hat to protect your head

Q: Where would 'safeguard' be a reasonable alternative to 'guard'?

In some situations, the words safeguard and guard are roughly equivalent. However, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger. // our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Q: When is 'shield' a more appropriate choice than 'guard'?

The words shield and guard can be used in similar contexts, but shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack. // shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

guard 1 of 2

noun

ˈgärd

Definition of guard next

as in guardian

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in defensive

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

offensive

as in lock

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in defense

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in guide

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 defender

someone that protects a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

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guard

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect

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

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as in to blockade

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word guard different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of guard are defend, protect, safeguard, and shield. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

In what contexts can defend take the place of guard?

The words defend and guard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When can protect be used instead of guard?

While the synonyms protect and guard are close in meaning, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

Where would safeguard be a reasonable alternative to guard?

In some situations, the words safeguard and guard are roughly equivalent. However, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

When is shield a more appropriate choice than guard?

The words shield and guard can be used in similar contexts, but shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

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 guard

Noun

League sources confirmed to the Daily News that the 6-10 guard is finalizing a contract buyout with the Nets and is set to become a free agent. —

C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025 The show faces a stiffer narrative turn later on, when Hope’s revolution takes hold and Urinetown starts taking jabs at the new guard as well as the old. —

Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025

Verb

Junior guard Jamir Ratliff added 10 points for Hillcrest (16-8, 9-1). —

Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 The size of the CIA’s workforce, as at other intelligence agencies, has always been closely guarded and remains classified. —

Dan De Luce, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for guard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guard

Noun

The proposed guardian must submit a Title 14 guardianship application to the Maricopa County Juvenile Court.

— Jessica Boehm, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
The students are children who have been sent away by their parents or guardians to study at Quranic boarding schools in what’s known as the almajiri system.

— Ogar Monday, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Feb. 2025