safeguard

1 of 2

noun

safe·guard ˈsāf-ˌgärd

Synonyms of safeguard next

: pass, safe-conduct

: convoy, escort

: a precautionary measure, stipulation, or device

: a technical contrivance to prevent accident

safeguard

2 of 2

verb

safeguarded; safeguarding; safeguards

transitive verb

: to provide a safeguard for

: to make safe : protect

Choose the Right Synonym for safeguard

defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack.

defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

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

shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Examples of safeguard in a Sentence

Noun The new law has safeguards to protect the rights of citizens. There are many safeguards built into the system to prevent fraud. Verb laws that safeguard the rights of citizens You need to safeguard your computer against viruses. There are steps you can take to safeguard against identity theft.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the real world, no patients were given organs of the wrong blood type, as numerous safeguards exist to protect against such a mismatch. —

Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2024 The apology is part of a settlement with the founder of Citadel LP, who sued the IRS for neglecting to put in place safeguards that led to his private financial information appearing in ProPublica articles. —

Alena Botros, Fortune, 26 June 2024

Verb

But they’re forced to fight for a voice in safeguarding it. —

Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 5 July 2024 All of these pieces of legislation aim to safeguard artists from prosecutors who want to use their creative expressions as evidence in criminal trials — ensuring rap artists enjoy the benefits of both the First and Sixth Amendments of our Constitution. —

Priya Chaudhry, Billboard, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for safeguard

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'safeguard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English saufgarde, from Anglo-French, from sauf safe + garde guard

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of safeguard was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Safeguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safeguard. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

safeguard

1 of 2 noun

safe·guard ˈsāf-ˌgärd

: something that protects and gives safety : defense

safeguard

2 of 2 verb

: to make safe or secure : protect

Last Updated: 7 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences

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safeguard

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of safeguard in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near safeguard

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition