GUARDING Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

guarding 1 of 3

adjective

as in protecting

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guarding

2 of 3

noun

as in defense

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guarding

3 of 3

verb

present participle of guard

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 guarding

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

Their day jobs are with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), a specialized force tasked with guarding the peaks and passes of India’s 2,167-mile (3,488-kilometer) long Himalayan border with China. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 The two businesses, collectively known as CTU, recruited the Colombian commandos who were supposed guarding Sanon in Haiti but later stormed Moïse’s hillside residence above Port-au-Prince in the middle of the night. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 After attempts to fire his gun failed, the suspect then took out a knife and charged at an officer guarding the door. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026 At halftime, coaches showed players a clip of Williams, a 6-foot-9 forward who signed on a minimum contract, guarding the ball full court. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Then Diallo checked in after halftime, face-guarding for all 90 feet with a calm, expressionless face. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 MacPhee positions all 10 outfield players goal-side of the penalty spot, with his best aerial defenders zonally guarding the six-yard box around goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 The network is protected with enterprise-grade encryption, guarding it against cyber threats. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 Rashee Rice has 71 receiving yards save for his 31-yard uncontested catch-and-run while the Colts were guarding the end zone and letting the clock expire. — Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarding

Noun

Denmark's defense intelligence service specifically warned Russia could use such tactics to split the NATO alliance.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Against Henderson, the Dodgers took advantage of mistakes by the Brewers’ usually fundamentally sound defense to score four runs against him, only two of which were earned.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of defense

Verb

The crisis is a central issue in the race for California insurance commissioner, with candidates offering different approaches to stabilizing the market and protecting homeowners.

— Kenny Choi, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
The result was the PAC-2 variant better known as the MIM-104 Patriot missile, made famous during the 1991 Gulf War for protecting Coalition forces against attacks by Iraqi Scud ballistic missiles.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of protecting

Verb

On one side, legions of determined teenagers protesting for their future by blockading schools and taking part in marches that have sometimes spiraled into violence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Anti-riot police officers face protesting students carrying out blockading action outside the secondary school Le Corbusier, in Aubervilliers, northern Paris on October 1, 2026.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of blockading

Noun

Members sign up to a set of guidelines around victim protection, attend events and host seminars.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Instead, revenue protection mode—according to the DOJ—prioritized maintaining revenue by leasing fewer apartments at higher prices.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of protection

Verb

We grow practiced at defending art by describing its return on investment.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Netflix bought exclusive rights to broadcast the 2030 World Cup in co-host Spain on Tuesday in a deal that lets a free-to-air public broadcaster show games each day including the defending champion’s.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of defending

Verb

This is evident in its determination to contain the protests, deploying over 40,000 security personnel, closing down metro and train stations, barricading central Delhi, suspending mobile Internet, and detaining over 7,000 people.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Officers arrested a man accused of stabbing another person to death before barricading himself inside a home Thursday morning in West Philadelphia.

— Andrew Krietz, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of barricading

Noun

Another folder called ‘off field’ had detailed sub-sections including safeguarding, event hire, governance, hospitality, insurance, merchandise, staff, pitch hire, player expenses and risk assessment.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Unlike fellow Club name Wells Fargo , whose core business is collecting deposits and issuing consumer and commercial loans, BNY's main focus is collecting fees from servicing, safeguarding, and moving financial assets for institutions.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of safeguarding

Verb

In Flanagan‘s take, Margaret is fiercely committed to shielding Carrie from the world’s dangers and from her classmates’ cruelty, even becoming a parental advocate in their community and on social media.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
Long decided to show Carl standing in a spotlight, wearing white boxers with red hearts, shielding Princess Donut.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of shielding

Cite this Entry

Style

“Guarding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guarding. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of guarding

adjective

noun

verb

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