guarded

adjective

guard·​ed ˈgär-dəd How to pronounce guarded (audio)
1
2
: being an extremely serious condition with uncertain outcome
was in guarded condition after the crash
guardedly adverb
guardedness noun

Examples of guarded in a Sentence

a guarded man who knew better than to reveal such delicate information
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora Gomez earned an Emmy nomination for her role as Mabel, a guarded and sarcastic millennial who strikes up an unexpected friendship with Charles and Oliver. Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Our spirits remain guarded, but high, for this one; the Venice Film Festival crowd seemed to eat it up. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2024 Especially in your portrayal of Jane, who is very guarded. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 June 2024 Hirst is a guarded and successful writer, Spooner a poet or a fraud or both. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for guarded

Word History

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of guarded was in 1709

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Cite this Entry

“Guarded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guarded. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

guarded

adjective
guard·​ed ˈgärd-əd How to pronounce guarded (audio)
: cautious, noncommittal
a guarded answer
guardedly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on guarded

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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