| verb | to keep watch over “there would be men guarding the horses” |
| verb | watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect “guard my possessions while I'm away” |
| verb | protect against a challenge or attack “Hold that position behind the trees!” |
| verb | take precautions in order to avoid some unwanted consequence “guard against becoming too friendly with the staff” |
| adjective | prudent “guarded optimism” |
| guard | noun | the duty of serving as a sentry |
| ward | noun | a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another |
| warder | noun | a person who works in a prison and is in charge of prisoners |
| defensible | adjective | capable of being defended |
| defensive | adjective | intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack |
| defender | noun | a person who cares for persons or property |
| defence | noun | an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack |