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 OpenAI told the Idaho Statesman in an email that ChatGPT is intended for users age 13 and older, with users under 18 needing permission from a parent or guardian to create an account. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026 To cut straight to the point, this is a film in which China symbolically emerges from the rubble of the Iraq War as a pacifistic patriarch and guardian of all the world’s children. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Every child under 18 with a Social Security number has an account in their name, but parents or guardians must claim the account on an app to receive a one-time deposit of $1,000. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Decades later, however, the guardians of the audio tapes were willing to work with Love Monday. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Oct. 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
  • Okwuosa reports the average salary for a custodian is about $45,000 this fiscal year, up from $36,900 in fiscal year 2021-22.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Under what was known as the Status Quo, a set of unwritten understandings between Israel and Jordan, the custodian of Jerusalem’s Muslim holy sites, Jews could visit the shrine, but only Muslims could worship there.
    — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • But on the next drive, his option keeper for a first down and block on Kenneth Walker’s touchdown run proved a strong response.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Jones flashed his decisiveness and speed on the ensuing play, gaining 14 yards on a quarterback keeper.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • Veteran David Quessenberry, a ninth-year pro who last started a game in 2023, will start in place of Jackson as quarterback Matthew Stafford’s blindside protector.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For assets under custody, BNY acts as a protector with administrative responsibilities.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Kennedy’s compassionate approach has proved similarly useful for caregivers trying to raise resilient, confident kids.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Long drives between assignments can also be extremely stressful for caregivers.
    — Colin Conner II, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • The Hurricanes were missing a starting offensive lineman as right guard Max Buchanan is out for the foreseeable future with an injury.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Officials reviewed the play for a possible hostile act by Howard, but assessed no foul on the Atlanta guard.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of guard
Noun
  • Hosfelt was among nine staff members, including the former warden, arrested in June 2024 and charged with felonies in connection with deaths at the prison.
    — Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Luckily — or maybe unluckily — the camp’s warden, a hardbitten guy with an oily smile named Clancy (Russell Crowe, hardbitten, smiley, and oily), takes a liking to Murphy.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • At one point, Baugh had to leave the game when a Texas defender slammed him to the ground and knocked the wind out of him.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Suarez fought off an Atlanta defender to reach the ball in the box and flicked a lofted cross toward Berterame.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • Friends, who became his primary caretaker, said jazz remained a constant presence.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Police said a 37-year-old woman who worked as a caretaker died in the Thursday morning attack at the school in Leszczydol-Nowiny, northeast of Warsaw.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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