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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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
In September, every ward in Sylhet’s 100-bed Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, which is treating measles, appeared overwhelmed. — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026 In September, every ward in Sylhet's 100-bed Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, which is treating measles, appeared overwhelmed. — Arkansas Online, 18 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
  • Stokes finished with a personal 2026 postseason-best 13 points to go with eight rebounds, three blocks and suffocating defense on Dream star Angel Reese, who was held to seven points on 2-for-8 shooting.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Portis rushed to his teammates’ defense, getting into Gafford’s face before the two teams separated them.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of defense
Noun
  • Muñoz was put in handcuffs in his pajamas and taken into federal custody downtown.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In a statement released by Acton's campaign, her brother, Philip Stearns, said the two were removed from their mother Donna Arthur's custody as children after their stepfather, Arthur's husband, was indicted for raping Acton as a child.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of custody
Verb
  • More missiles, many more options This would significantly expand the ship’s ability to protect an entire naval task group, rather than primarily concentrating on defending itself and nearby assets.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Russia imposed temporary export controls on helium in April to protect its domestic supply.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • Carrying several rockets lets the aircraft conduct multiple engagements in one sortie, though the number of successful interceptions will depend on the targets, engagement conditions, and available ammunition.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Ukrainian leader has pleaded with Washington to supply more Patriot air-defense ammunition to stop the missiles, and to heap more sanctions on Russia to pressure Moscow to pursue peace.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • Those figures largely predate the state’s move to universal free child care, which began in November 2025 and is funded by an oil and gas windfall.
    — Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In a bucket hat and without a care in the world, Murray speaks kindly but candidly about making his buddy Coyne’s TV dream come true.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of care
Verb
  • Trump proceeded to defend the White House renovation for an additional five-odd minutes before delivering Obama a message directly.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Egypt's president sought to reassure the public that the country wouldn't attack Yemen, and that the military support is limited to defending Saudi territory.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • The latest incidents, which follow a slew of reports of agents unexpectedly breaking out of sandboxes, showcased how even the safeguards built to corral AI systems are vulnerable to the technology.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In both cases, the AI agents considered whether monitoring safeguards should be preserved but interpreted routine coding instructions as permission to weaken them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of safeguard
Verb
  • Campbell ended up hitting the block of all blocks off the tee, with his ball entering what is a legitimate jungle guarding the right side of the fairway.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, my mother ferociously guarded her friendships with open-minded neighbors.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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