ward 1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯrd How to pronounce ward (audio)
Definition of wardnext
1
as in defense
means or method of defending frequent hand washing is an oft-recommended ward against the spread of common germs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in custody
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something gained the ward of his cousin upon the death of her parents

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ward

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from vowed that he would take whatever measures were necessary to ward the nation's people

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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 ward
Noun
Moreau made a tool to measure the depth and heights of the wards, to make a replica of what the original key probably looked like. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 Nisha was discovered by Karthik three years ago, and has been hiding her Avatar powers as his ward. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
Alicent first sent Daeron to ward at Oldtown, the seat of House Hightower, under the previous lord, Hobert Hightower (Steffan Rhodri). — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026 Try candles or sprays scented with citronella, lemon, or vanilla to ward them off. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ward
  1. defense
  2. custody
  3. protect
  4. ammunition
  5. care
  6. defend
  7. safeguard
  8. guard
Noun
  • The drills include amphibious landing, air and missile defense and mine sweeping, as well as intelligence gathering, logistics and resupply and casualty evacuation on several remote islands, including Tanegashima.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The combination of Chance downing teams inside the 10-yard line combined with a suffocating defense could be a recipe for success for TCU in the final half of the season.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of defense
Noun
  • When several of the women refused to surrender the children to Xuan and Zhang after abuse allegations surfaced last year, Majerus said, the couple’s attorney discouraged them from fighting for custody.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The suspect was identified as Blair, who was taken into custody and later transported to a hospital for evaluation.
    — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of custody
Verb
  • Rowling has been staunchly critical of transgender rights activists, funding legal efforts to protect women’s rights and penning X/Twitter posts that are considered to be attacks by the trans community.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Go rebound the basketball, go protect the rim, be a big big for us.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • Investigators later seized three guns and ammunition from Bjornholt’s home.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Paporakis had hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition and a manifesto expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, police said.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The foundation has also supported Dell Children’s Medical Center, which opened in 2007, and the Dell Pediatric Research Institute, helping expand access to specialized children’s care and medical research in the region.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of care
Verb
  • Its formula features Concentrated Miracle Broth, antioxidant-rich Lime Tea Concentrate, and Clarity Algae to help defend against free radicals and improve discoloration.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking a second term in January, has repeatedly defended his decision to scrap a years-long subsidy program in 2023 to avoid wasteful spending and invest in infrastructure development.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • But Howard club tennis players say safeguards should already be in place to prevent incidents like this.
    — Ashley Paul, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The issue is reshaping the governor’s race, as Republican Joe Lombardo and Democrat Aaron Ford spar over development, tax breaks and safeguards for electricity bills and water supplies.
    — Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of safeguard
Verb
  • The Heat’s four Exhibit 10 contract players are Ausar, center Kylor Kelley, forward Gabe Madsen and guard Bez Mbeng.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The most direct tribute to Tippett came in the battle against two giant droids guarding an overlord’s chamber.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of guard

Browse Nearby Words

war cry
ward
warded
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Cite this Entry

“Ward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ward. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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