safeguard 1 of 2

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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

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verb

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

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 safeguard
Noun
This law is a critical safeguard for many immigrant survivors of abuse who are otherwise at risk of deportation. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 Just days into his second term, Trump signed an executive order aimed at undoing Biden administration efforts to put some safeguards on AI development while encouraging its growth. Jason Abbruzzese, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
The groups noted that Trump has the responsibility and right to safeguard national security, but asked for an explanation of the decision-making process. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 What matters is that, in the face of a leader who tried to grab power for himself, the South Korean parliament and courts did what was necessary to safeguard themselves and their democracy. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for safeguard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for safeguard
Noun
  • The federal government has moved to strip hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans from lawfully obtained deportation protections and work permits.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • For even stronger protection, consider using a security key that plugs into your device.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Being aware of common web and phone scams and taking reasonable precautions can also go a long way toward protecting your info.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Although, in situations where seeing separate providers isn’t possible (on a college campus, say, or in a community with few resources), rest assured a solid one will still take precautions to keep things as confidential as possible.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The push to help more than half-a-million Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans is part of a broader legal effort to protect nationals from Ukraine, Afghanistan and other countries who are here legally.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the guilt-innocence phase, the jury deliberated for about four hours and for about 90 minutes in the punishment phase, according to defense attorney Wiggins.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And they’re being embedded into everything from CRM platforms to national defense strategies.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In a twist from the first Trump administration, which tried to kill Barack Obama's landmark health insurance law, Trump's Justice Department is defending the law.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • But López Obrador has defended hydrocarbons since his youth, and the energy reform became a rallying cry for MORENA.
    Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The emergence of prompt shields and spotlight prompting has arisen due to the various hacking efforts trying to get generative AI to go beyond its filters and usual protections.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The loot included a Twilight poster signed by stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner; signed Darth Vader and Stormtrooper helmets; and several signed Captain America shields.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The terrorist designation would extend U.S. jurisdiction to anyone assisting the gangs, from gun and ammunition traffickers to government officials in Haiti financing the groups.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • So, to threaten to take away someone’s guns and ammunition was indeed a threat that white Virginians took very seriously.
    Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Safeguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/safeguard. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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