WARDS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

wards 1 of 2

noun

plural of ward

as in defenses

means or method of defending frequent hand washing is an oft-recommended ward against the spread of common germs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in custodies

responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something gained the ward of his cousin upon the death of her parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

wards

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ward

as in protects

to drive danger or attack away from vowed that he would take whatever measures were necessary to ward the nation's people

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 wards

Noun

In response to Stewart’s presentation, several alderpersons expressed their appreciation of local law enforcement and the work done to facilitate emergency response efforts across all nine wards. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 In wards 6 and 7, Dave Tamayo and Heidi Sanborn, respectively, are running unopposed. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026 In participatory budgeting, several wards, as well as the Chicago Park District, set aside portions of discretionary funds for projects endorsed by residents. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 Scenes with the ward’s young women are where the film truly excels, undeniably a result of Khan and Le Querec’s months-long immersion inside real-life psychiatric wards. — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 That has changed quietly, with robots now performing important roles in operating rooms, hospital wards, rehabilitation centers, and corridors around the world. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 Nurses are fainting on the wards, children are flopping onto their desks at school. — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 And more than 500 hospitals closed maternity wards between 2010 and 2022, according to a study published in the medical research journal JAMA. — Kristin Wright, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wards

Noun

Ukraine’s air defenses are strained and urgently need more ammunition as Russia appears to be targeting the power grid ahead of winter.

— Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Next year’s preliminary budget shows the kingdom is willing to keep borrowing to bolster its defenses and build trade routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of defenses

Noun

Geoff warns Ilya to moderate his projections, emphasizing the need for safeguards, but the idealistic Russian is swept up in the vast potential of AI — to solve the climate crisis, cure cancer, even save humanity from itself.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
In addition to security safeguards, Shield promises to reimburse up to $100,000 for regular users, and up to $500,000 for its highest class of VIP users, in the event of a third-party takeover.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Verb

Klaatu's giant robot sidekick, Gort, then steps out of the vessel, obliterates a load of firearms with his laser eyes, and silently guards the ship as his master is taken to hospital.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
But with Smith now sidelined, Heat rookie guards Tre Donaldson and Ryan Conwell will have an opportunity to play a bigger role in practices and in games this preseason.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of guards

Noun

Its formula contains red algae extract, an antioxidant the brand says shields hair from pollution for up to 48 hours, and Olaplex’s signature bond-building technology, strengthening weak, overprocessed strands.

— Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
Cliches were wielded like shields Tuesday, protecting against the imminent threat of social clips construed as bulletin board material.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of shields

Noun

With little ability to collect taxes, Haiti doesn’t have the expertise to enforce its tax laws or understand the complex trusts used by Bigio and other elites to shield revenue, a Miami Herald analysis found.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
The issue is not whether your children understand grantor trusts or can read a partnership agreement.

— Anatoly Iofe, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026