GUARDED Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

guarded 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgär-dəd

Definition of guarded

as in wary

having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble a guarded man who knew better than to reveal such delicate information guarded actions

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guarded

2 of 2

verb

past tense of guard

as in protected

to drive danger or attack away from guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

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as in blockaded

to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point a fire-breathing dragon guarded the entrance to the castle

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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 guarded

Adjective

When that happens, people become more guarded, less open and less willing to engage. — Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2026 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

Verb

Which explains why campaigns keep these sorts of trips closely guarded. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026 He’s been closely guarded and closed off from the world since, as Russia has sought to secure a relationship with the new regime led by President Ahmed al Sharaa. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guarded

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarded

Adjective

Many Iranian women are openly flouting the rule – and authorities seem wary of launching a crackdown, for now.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
That’s as the Fed has been especially wary of inflation, which has exceeded its 2% target for more than five years, with several central bankers ready to hike rates.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of wary

Verb

In filings with the New York bankruptcy court overseeing the case, both Spirit’s representatives and the interested bidders say privacy and personal identity will be protected.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
From the sprawling stone forts of early American history in the north, to the mangroves of the Everglades and protected reefs of Biscayne to the south, our state is a masterpiece of biodiversity and coastal wonder.

— Lulu Vilas, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of protected

Verb

Iran’s proxies in the region, the Houthis, have since blockaded another strait – the Bab-al-Mandeb – challenging Saudi Arabia’s ability to export oil through that alternate route.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
During the early nineteen-eighties, when Paul Volcker, the chair of the Federal Reserve, raised interest rates to twenty per cent in the face of rampant inflation, furious farmers blockaded the Fed’s headquarters with their tractors.

— John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of blockaded

Adjective

Florida’s Republican gubernatorial ticket is defying historic trends for a political party traditionally known for elevating white men to leadership positions — even as the GOP remains cautious about drawing attention to the shift.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Bindi, a young female wallaby, is inquisitive and extremely curious, while Wally, a young male wallaby, is more cautious and likes to look at things from afar, Borozenets said.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of cautious

Verb

The 48-year-old just fiercely defended him in a lengthy statement to UsWeekly.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has defended its actions, telling CNN in a statement that those deported received due process and had final orders of removal.

— Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of defended

Adjective

Apply the serum directly to sparse areas of your brows, being careful to avoid letting the product touch other areas of your skin.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
According to the researchers, careful process design and optimization as well as architecture simplification could help in solving most of these issues, something that industrial production focuses on much more than academic researchers.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of careful

Verb

In theory, the paper maintains its independence through a 1994 congressional framework and First Amendment protections safeguarded by Congress.

— Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Longtime Webb producer Fred Mollin, who safeguarded the compositions for years, helped bring them back into the light.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 14 Aug. 2026