GUARDING Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

guarding 1 of 3

adjective

as in protecting

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Dissimilar Words

guarding

2 of 3

noun

as in defense

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Dissimilar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Johnson is guarding Isaac Okoro in the corner and is shading far off of him as the action is on the opposite side of the floor. — Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Pleasant, a rising junior who was limited during spring camp with a shoulder injury, should get the first crack at guarding opposing top receivers. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 At the other end of our road, the cranes of the docks loomed — great Stothert and Pitt machines that growled overhead like something out of Star Wars, guarding the scale and mystery of the River Thames. — Lee Clayton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Having a humble heart opens the door to a life filled with divine Love guarding and guiding us every step of the way. — Linda Berckmann, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026 Kearns family pushes for change In the wake of the teen's death, the Kearns family pushed for Mason's Law, mandating the marking, guarding and grading of drainpipes in the state. — Tara Lynch, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Though my very favorite touch was the two 18th-century-style interpretations of a sphinx guarding the doors. — Jocelyn Silver, Vogue, 26 July 2026 Countless novels, films, and games have since adopted the image of the treasure-guarding dragon. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026 Linn said dogs were often seen in the Bronze Age and mythology as protectors, often guarding the house. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarding

Noun

Taiwan, in response, has focused on strengthening its defense and ramping up its arms purchases.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Ukraine says Russia is scaling up its production of ballistic missiles, aiming to exploit Kyiv's critical shortage of Patriot air defense interceptors that can stop them.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of defense

Verb

Kenya has until recently been widely recognized for rebuilding its elephant population from historic lows to more than 36,000 individuals by reducing poaching and protecting elephants.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Past trial data show that Moderna’s vaccine is around 27 percent more effective at protecting against the disease than a standard flu shot.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of protecting

Verb

That includes Yemen’s Houthi movement blockading Saudi Arabian maritime traffic near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
In July, Houthi forces began blockading the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the corridor linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, in response to renewed Saudi strikes on Yemen.

— Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of blockading

Noun

The pact gives Saudi Arabia a powerful new layer of protection beyond its longstanding security partnership with the United States amid growing regional doubts over whether Washington can still be relied upon to protect its oil-rich Gulf allies.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
The durable and flexible HydroSport are full-protection and dry fast in wet conditions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of protection

Verb

Skubal also issued two walks and hit a batter with a pitch in just his second career appearance at Dodger Stadium, taking the mound nine days after the defending champions acquired him from Detroit in the biggest trade of the deadline.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
The defending World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers may have to relinquish their title to the surging Atlanta Braves.

— Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of defending

Verb

David Drayton and his young son join other locals by barricading themselves in a supermarket.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026
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

Definition of barricading

Noun

And if your data needs extra safeguarding, the My Passport SSD comes with 256-bit AES hardware encryption and password protection for a double security whammy.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026
Recent headlines have prompted difficult but necessary conversations about welfare, safeguarding and accountability in television.

— Emma Pringle, Deadline, 17 June 2026

Definition of safeguarding

Verb

France has banned unsolicited telemarketing calls under a new law aimed at protecting consumers from intrusive sales pitches and shielding vulnerable people from fraudulent commercial practices.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
At a news conference, Twin Falls police released dramatic surveillance video that showed terrified employees diving for cover and shielding one another.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of shielding

Cite this Entry

Style

“Guarding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guarding. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of guarding

adjective

noun

verb

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