as in protecting
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as in defense
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in defending
to drive danger or attack away from
guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blockading
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
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Recent Examples of guarding
Randy Jennings, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The internet is obsessed with a giant dog trying to show his guarding skills against an unusual trespasser.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
Painful stiffness that varies dramatically in intensity based on stress levels, sleep quality or emotional state also suggests protective guarding.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
The former South Carolina standout handled the ball well and showcased her ability to attack the rim when a slower defender was guarding her.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 9 May 2026
Bartholomew was shot and killed inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital nearly two weeks ago while guarding a suspect.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Even those were somewhat unlocked by Minnesota’s injuries; Johnson no longer had Edwards guarding him by Games 5 and 6, enabling Denver to attack a mismatch.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
His defensive contributions have aided four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert’s efforts guarding Jokić, the three-time MVP, one-on-one.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Ukrainian military still maintains a presence at Chernobyl, closely guarding the infrastructure and protecting one of the main roads to Kyiv from another Russian assault.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Harshaw asked Drozd to order the federal agents guarding Mendoza Hernandez to allow him a half-hour meeting with his lawyer before transporting him again.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The guy who may be assigned to guarding Fland, KU senior Dajuan Harris, scored 26 points in the scrimmage against Arkansas and Fland in October.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
Carter’s 6-10 twin towers Jackson and junior Shaqere Kizzee clogged the middle defensively, forcing Kennedale to settle for 3-pointers or difficult jumpers against tight guarding.
—Randy Jennings, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The internet is obsessed with a giant dog trying to show his guarding skills against an unusual trespasser.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
Painful stiffness that varies dramatically in intensity based on stress levels, sleep quality or emotional state also suggests protective guarding.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
Let conversation improve the work instead of guarding it too tightly.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
The former South Carolina standout handled the ball well and showcased her ability to attack the rim when a slower defender was guarding her.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 9 May 2026
Bartholomew was shot and killed inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital nearly two weeks ago while guarding a suspect.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Even those were somewhat unlocked by Minnesota’s injuries; Johnson no longer had Edwards guarding him by Games 5 and 6, enabling Denver to attack a mismatch.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
His defensive contributions have aided four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert’s efforts guarding Jokić, the three-time MVP, one-on-one.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Ukrainian military still maintains a presence at Chernobyl, closely guarding the infrastructure and protecting one of the main roads to Kyiv from another Russian assault.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Harshaw asked Drozd to order the federal agents guarding Mendoza Hernandez to allow him a half-hour meeting with his lawyer before transporting him again.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The guy who may be assigned to guarding Fland, KU senior Dajuan Harris, scored 26 points in the scrimmage against Arkansas and Fland in October.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarding
Noun
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For Carl Douglas, one of those defense attorneys, that moment stands among his clearest memories of the trial.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
But Detroit’s damning offensive flaws, which its defense compensated for during the regular season, were exposed by the Cavs.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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According to Chinese media, the programs are intended to strengthen an ecological barrier protecting agricultural land across Xinjiang.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
-
So leaders end up protecting themselves against the visible mistake and ignoring the invisible one.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Iran still has a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where a fifth of the world’s oil passed through before the war, and America is blockading Iranian ports.—
Sheikh Saaliq,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
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Iran still has a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where a fifth of the world's oil passed through before the war, and America is blockading Iranian ports.—
SHEIKH SAALIQ,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2026
Noun
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On the upper, the brand’s ToeTection abrasion cage provides durability and protection while helping establish a lockdown support.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Proponents of such protections should reframe the debate accordingly or risk ceding some ethical high ground.—
Adam W. Gaffney,
STAT,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Caneiro's two daughters also testified, defending their father.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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Janarius Robinson was in Foxboro on Tuesday for a workout with the defending AFC champions, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
Verb
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After barricading himself in a home for over an hour Friday morning, Abugharbieh eventually surrendered to police wearing only a towel, as seen on aerial video of the incident.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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The 26-year-old former student surrendered Friday after barricading himself in his family home during a domestic violence call.—
Holly Ramer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What kind of safeguarding was needed to protect the cast, especially her, from some of the heavier themes, such as drugs and death?—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
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Our Safer Sport department has embedded safeguarding and player care at the heart of the academy experience.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Patrick Gallagher, who earned the Navy Cross during the Vietnam War for heroically shielding his fellow Marines from a live grenade.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
-
At one point in the video, a man holding a young girl in a pink dress could be seen shielding her from the violence unfolding around them.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guarding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guarding. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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