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 Cosigners are often a parent, guardian or relative of the student. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Still, Hawaii’s most important guardian against hurricanes is the North Pacific (or Hawaiian) high—a semipermanent subtropical high-pressure cell that sits northeast of the islands. — John P. Rafferty, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026 To use parental controls, both the teen user and their parent or guardian have to opt in. — Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 Children as young as six years old are welcome to participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian. — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 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
  • Every year Jim Evans faces the challenge of keeping health care costs reasonable for the more than 400 teachers, custodians and bus drivers at Concord Community Schools.
    — Alex Olgin, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Three men with very different vested interests across their roles as player, broadcaster and custodian.
    — Ben Jones Aug. 26, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • On the Duke’s side, Joely Richardson is back as Eddie’s mother Lady Sabrina, Daniel Ings as disinherited older brother Freddy, Jasmine Blackborow as sister Charly and Vinnie Jones as Geoff, keeper of the grounds – and family secrets.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Morché is the first keeper in club history to record a clean sheet in her debut.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • Precious Sam The 7-foot center originally from Ghana began playing basketball only six years ago and is the classic rim protector that has anchored SDSU’s defense.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The manga and popular anime series follow adolescent ninja Naruto, who dreams of becoming his community’s protector and leader known as the village ninja.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Our three children grew up as his caregivers too, the way so many kids in these homes quietly do.
    — Vanessa Chism, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Our Kids’ Climate (OKC) supports parents, grandparents and caregivers in over 50 countries to take action to protect children from the impact of the climate crisis.
    — Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of caregiver
Noun
  • How can anyone dare to let their guard down and risk being hurt once again?
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Rookie Carver Willis got first-team reps at right guard, and Jordan James saw action with the second team after missing time with a rib injury.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard
Noun
  • There is no word on when the search for a new warden will commence.
    — Christopher DeRose, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But to Bill Donnelly, the service’s warden, New Jersey’s fire season, like North America’s, can feel unending.
    — Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • Ryder Ajeto’s first touch in the box was deflected by a Florida defender, but Ajeto followed the ball and scored from eight yards to produce the final 3-1 margin.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Initially ruled a clean block in the 82nd minute, video review reversed the call and a handball was called on Angel City defender Sarah Gorden.
    — Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • White works for the state as an in-home caretaker for elderly and disabled clients.
    — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Jose Mourinho returns to the Bernabeu thirteen years after his first spell ended, appointed to end a two-season trophy drought that cost Xabi Alonso his job in January and left Álvaro Arbeloa’s caretaker spell without a single piece of silverware.
    — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on guardian

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guardian

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