SAFEGUARD Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

safeguard 1 of 2

noun

ˈsāf-ˌgärd

Definition of safeguard next

as in protection

means or method of defending with these safeguards in place, no one should be able to break into our computers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in precaution

a measure taken to preclude loss or injury safeguards that were intended to assure our security, but not at the expense of our liberty

Synonyms & Similar Words

safeguard

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect

to drive danger or attack away from sheepdogs safeguard the flock from attacks by wolves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word safeguard different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of safeguard are defend, guard, protect, and shield. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

When might defend be a better fit than safeguard?

While the synonyms defend and safeguard are close in meaning, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When is it sensible to use guard instead of safeguard?

Although the words guard and safeguard have much in common, guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

When is protect a more appropriate choice than safeguard?

The words protect and safeguard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

When could shield be used to replace safeguard?

The synonyms shield and safeguard are sometimes interchangeable, but shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

Examples 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 safeguard

Noun

Hundreds of artists in our alpha [testing program] have shaped Sora’s development, helping prioritize new features and safeguards. —

Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024 Washington has long relied on treaties signed with such countries as a safeguard against Hague jurisdiction, but the tribunal’s boundless view of its powers gives no assurance that those treaties will be honored. —

Eugene Kontorovich, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024

Verb

As a treaty partner of the United States, South Korea has a solid partnership with the U.S. military as well as European forces under the United Nations Command, which helps safeguard the country from North Korean aggression. —

Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Dec. 2024 The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. —

Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for safeguard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeguard

Noun

Recommendations include scaling back protection for foreign leaders during peak election season and exploring the possibility of moving the agency out of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Not to mention, the taller height provides more protection for our calves on narrow or overgrown trails.

Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2024