Home Synonyms guard

Synonyms of guard in English:

guard


See US English definition of guard

See UK English definition of guard

See Spanish definition of vigilar

verb

1‘the infantry guarded the barricaded bridge’

SYNONYMS
protect, stand guard over, watch over, look after, keep an eye on, take care of, cover, patrol, police, defend, shield, safeguard, preserve, save, keep safe, secure, screen, shelter
fortify, garrison, barricade
man, occupy

2‘the prisoners were guarded by armed men’

SYNONYMS
keep under surveillance, keep under guard, keep watch over, mind, supervise, restrain, control

3‘the forest wardens have to guard against poachers’

SYNONYMS
beware of, keep watch for, be alert to, take care for, keep an eye out for, be on the alert for, be on the qui vive for, be on the lookout for
informal keep one's eyes peeled for, keep one's eyes skinned for

noun

1‘they were caught by border guards’

SYNONYMS
sentry, sentinel, security guard, nightwatchman
protector, defender, guardian, custodian, keeper
scout, lookout, watch
garrison
informal bouncer
archaic watchman

2‘she slipped easily past her prison guard’

SYNONYMS
jailer, warden, prison officer, keeper, incarcerator, captor, sentry
British warder, wardress
informal screw
Law detainer
archaic turnkey

3‘he let his guard slip and they escaped’

SYNONYMS
vigilance, vigil, watch, close watch, monitoring, policing, surveillance, sentry duty
watchfulness, caution, heed, attention, care, wariness

4‘all machines must be fitted with a guard’

SYNONYMS
safety guard, safety device, protective device, shield, bulwark, screen, fence, fender, bumper, buffer, cushion, pad

Phrases

    on guard

    ‘police are urging horse owners to be on their guard’


    SYNONYMS
    vigilant, hypervigilant, alert, on the alert, wary, watchful, cautious, careful, heedful, chary, circumspect, on the lookout, on the qui vive, on one's toes, prepared, ready, wideawake, attentive, observant, keeping one's eyes peeled
    informal all ears, beady-eyed, on the ball, not missing a trick, keeping a weather eye on things, cagey, leery
    rare regardful, Argus-eyed
    ANTONYMS

    inattentive

    off guard

    ‘he was caught off guard when the man charged towards him’


    SYNONYMS
    unprepared, unready, inattentive, unwary, unwatchful, with one's defences down, by surprise, cold, unsuspecting
    informal napping, asleep on the job, asleep at the wheel, on the hop
    ANTONYMS

    prepared