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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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 ward
Noun
That applies to organisations such as cafes, leisure centres, gyms and hairdressers, as well as public toilets, local sports clubs with at least 25 members, hospital wards, domestic violence shelters and rape-crisis shelters. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 6 Aug. 2026 Held the first Tuesday each August, this year’s celebration in Aurora included block parties and gatherings of police, fire and emergency vehicles at 24 different community events across all of the city’s 10 wards. — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
Of course, this doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be bitten all summer; there are various ways to prevent bites and ward them off altogether. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Mar. 2026 The grackles seek safety in numbers, and often choose to roost in suburban or urban areas with heavy foot traffic in order to ward of predators. — Sara Diggins, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 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
  • 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
Noun
  • One person was taken into custody, and police are searching for a second suspect.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Tyler Boebert, 21, was taken into custody and later released on $10,000 bond, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of custody
Verb
  • Now, the state attorney general says the city must pay a fine or face a lawsuit for violating a state law protecting Confederate monuments and other longstanding memorials.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Your 6th House of Work and Wellness hosts compassionate Venus, opposing spiritual Neptune in your 12th House of Solitude, so routines need boundaries that protect rest.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • North Korea, in turn, has sent ammunition and soldiers to fight for Russia in its war in Ukraine.
    — ZHENG JIYONG, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Failing that, Zelenskyy wants to make Patriot ammunition in Ukraine or get approval from Elon Musk to use his Starlink satellite communications system to guide strikes inside Russia that can hit its missile launchers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • Modi would be housed in a specific section of Arthur Road Jail and would have access to specialist treatment, Indian authorities said, including care from a private doctor or mental health expert of his choice.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The sisters now both receive care at the Cleveland Clinic and have participated in clinical trials while also working to raise awareness about the disease.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of care
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
  • Asked about those changes and the growing scrutiny of the UFW's legacy, Huerta defended the organization's historic work on behalf of farmworkers while acknowledging the controversy surrounding Chavez.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • About one third of its customers had adopted that safeguard, which will now become mandatory by year’s end.
    — Soo Youn, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Because no single firm bears the cost to society of energy price shocks, the private sector tends to underinvest in these safeguards, making their formation dependent on government action.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of safeguard
Verb
  • Shrine guards flick sticks with ostrich feathers at female pilgrims lingering too long in the shade to try to keep the flow of people moving.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Cooper Powers and Ryan Hughes also rotated in at center and guard throughout the scrimmage.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ward for Spanish Speakers

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