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
Related Stories If staying up all night at the movies sounds crazy, then the Lincoln Square AMC was a psych ward. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 July 2026 When a rural hospital closes, there is no psychiatric ward down the street. — Cole Hanson, STAT, 16 July 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
  • The admission was astonishing after his defense team had spent years diligently defending him against the charges.
    — Emily Smith, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • The Rangers’ defense only allowed one more run after the third inning.
    — Cal Phillips Updated July 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Definition of defense
Noun
  • While in custody, Schmidt threatened to call the governor and mayor on the police officers, the report stated.
    — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026
  • Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied bail and remanded Arrabaca into custody.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of custody
Verb
  • That’s why the systems are built with redundancy — typically to protect against natural disasters, cut cables and the like, but now for attacks, as well.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • From as early as April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of ensuring that the country’s energy and infrastructure facilities are fully operational and reliably protected for the next heating season.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • But are these findings evidence that remote work purists have been right all along or ammunition for the return-to-office crowd?
    — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 27 July 2026
  • In her latest deployment to Kuwait, she was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, which provides food, fuel, water, ammunition, transport equipment and other supplies.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 26 July 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services found 12 categories of abuse and neglect of the Gray children connected to Marcee, including inadequate food, shelter and medical care, director Candice Broce said in court.
    — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • However, with a little special attention and care, a plant enthusiast can add some very unique plants to their collection.
    — Dr. Matthew Lisy, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of care
Verb
  • The admission was astonishing after his defense team had spent years diligently defending him against the charges.
    — Emily Smith, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • In a year where the quality of his car has made any thought of defending his title seem distant, this was a race where Norris looked every bit a world champion.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • The earliest cases dated to April and occurred in evaluation environments that lacked what the company described as standard safeguards.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
  • Insurance, regulations, and legal frameworks will intensify the obligation on enterprises to ensure robust systems rather than superficial safeguards.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of safeguard
Verb
  • The album daisy-chains different ideas together across seven tracks with the kind of freedom that Zaks can only achieve with sufficient haze to guard his process.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026
  • This being Hollywood, however, Bamford is guarded over praise as its can be short-lived and fame and fortune can’t make up for ongoing struggles.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ward for Spanish Speakers

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