guard 1 of 2

noun

ˈgärd How to pronounce guard (audio)
Definition of guardnext
1
as in guardian
a person or group that watches over someone or something checked in with the security guard at the gate

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2
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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3
as in lock
a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain

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4
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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5
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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6
as in defender
someone that protects a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

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guard

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

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2
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

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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
Senior guards Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith and Aaron Scott each transferred last offseason. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025 The former Valparaiso guard hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in 1998 to upset No. 4 seed Arizona, 70-69. —Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
Three soldiers who had been guarding the railroad track were also killed in the attack that began Tuesday in restive Balochistan province, the military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif, told local media. —arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025 Kansas has struggled to guard teams with quality perimeter shooting and UCF is a streaky shooting team. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guard
  1. guardian
  2. defensive
  3. lock
  4. defense
  5. guide
  6. defender
  7. protect
  8. blockade
Noun
  • The couple were Jaylin's guardians, family members told CBS 7.
    — KC Baker, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Ages 2-5 years are welcome with a parent or guardian.
    — Jake Richardson, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • Elon Musk is on the defensive after Twitter (now known as X) was down for several hours today.
    — John Brandon, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Zoom out: Trump has tried to put Democrats on the defensive on these issues in his first weeks in office.
    — Erin Doherty, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of defensive
Noun
  • When the Academy locks in its date 12 months in advance, these precursors can position themselves strategically, ensuring a natural flow rather than an overcrowded calendar.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
  • According to the warrant, the man’s room had a slide bolt lock on the outside of the door, WVIT reported.
    — Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of lock
Noun
  • More than 100 Israeli filmmakers, including some prominent names, signed a letter in defense of the film.
    — Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025
  • However, Kyiv's European allies, which are not party to the Saudi talks, remain skeptical and have agreed to boost the continent's defenses in face of the security threat Russia poses.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of defense
Noun
  • The Heritage Foundation is most recently known as the publisher and leader of Project 2025, a conservative federal policy guide mirroring many of President Donald Trump's policies.
    — Lisa Richwine, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
  • For more, check out How to Shop for Vinyl Online and How to Clean Vinyl, or our guides on the Best Turntables or Best Bookshelf Speakers.
    — Parker Hall, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of guide
Noun
  • Before going public with his abuse claims in 2013, Robson was one of Jackson’s most vociferous defenders, denying the pop star had ever behaved inappropriately and serving as a key defense witness in Jackson’s 2005 child molestation trial.
    — Danielle Bacher, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Free agency’s pathway to the draft Joel M. asks (via Bluesky): Free agency sets Carolina up to take a pass rushing edge defender in the first round, but how will Carolina seek to address the WR position?
    — Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of defender
Verb
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    — Tony East, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Security Features CrashPlan uses extensive security protocols to protect your data, including end-to-end encryption during transit and storage.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of protect
Verb
  • If China blockades or invades Taiwan, the short-term economic disruptions to the United States and its allies would be large enough to rival the losses caused by a broad decoupling.
    — Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Some protesters have been blockading key roads in major cities, as well as occupying dozens of university facilities.
    — ByNenad Jarić Daunhauer, science.org, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of blockade

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Cite this Entry

“Guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guard. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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