unguarded

adjective

un·​guard·​ed ˌən-ˈgär-dəd How to pronounce unguarded (audio)
1
: vulnerable to attack : unprotected
2
: free from guile or wariness : direct, incautious
unguarded remarks
unguardedly adverb
unguardedness noun

Examples of unguarded in a Sentence

I let the secret about the surprise party spill out in an unguarded moment. the swimming coach quickly regretted his unguarded comments about the young swimmer's limitations
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.
The unguarded personal reflections this prompts from Julian are profoundly moving, especially when coming from a towering actor who has also been a prominent gay activist for decades. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 Most of Giddey’s outside shot attempts are left unguarded due to his reputation for being a poor shooter, and this places a cap on his playmaking as well. Mikai Bruce, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Tortured Poets is almost her crowning artistic achievement, containing the most complex and unguarded—and gorgeous—songs of her career. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 In The Limey, Soderbergh included flashbacks to Wilson’s early years, taken directly from a previous Stamp role in Ken Loach’s Poor Cow, another tour de force performance where a film’s meanings are carried by his deep eyes, unguarded expressions, and angular face. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unguarded

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unguarded was circa 1593

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Cite this Entry

“Unguarded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unguarded. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

unguarded

adjective
un·​guard·​ed ˌən-ˈgärd-əd How to pronounce unguarded (audio)
1
: open to attack : unprotected
2
: not cautious : unwary
unguarded comments
unguardedly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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