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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in protected
to drive danger or attack away from
guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guarded
Emma Fraser and Sophie Brookover, Town & Country, 21 Dec. 2022
The guarded and pessimistic mood that results from this oppression permeates this melodrama, all the way down to its muted color palette.
—Katie Rife, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2022
Krishan Francis, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Security forces patrolled streets and guarded polling stations across the Himalayan nation of about 30 million people as voters lined up to cast their ballots.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guarded
Adjective
After his relationship with Jan (Amy Ryan) ended dramatically, Charles (Steve Martin) is even more guarded with his heart in season two.
—Emma Fraser and Sophie Brookover, Town & Country, 21 Dec. 2022
The guarded and pessimistic mood that results from this oppression permeates this melodrama, all the way down to its muted color palette.
—Katie Rife, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2022
Verb
The hospital was guarded by Sri Lankan police and naval personnel, as workers unloaded bodies away from view.
—Krishan Francis, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Security forces patrolled streets and guarded polling stations across the Himalayan nation of about 30 million people as voters lined up to cast their ballots.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guarded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarded
Adjective
-
People are wary of joining groups that may lack authenticity and connection.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
8 Mar. 2026
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Her government has since been navigating a delicate transition, balancing pressure from Washington for cooperation on corruption and criminal cases with the demands of powerful figures within Venezuela’s military and security apparatus who remain wary of the rapidly shifting political landscape.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Thus, The Pitt had to figure out how to show its awake fiber-optic intubation without having access to real-life-patient footage, something Sachs says is either too low quality to read on TV or protected by privacy laws.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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Certain positions would be protected from the cuts, Cassellius said, including classroom teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists and nurses.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Caribbean nation has experienced severe fuel shortages, upending daily life on the island, after the US blockaded Venezuelan oil shipments.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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The administration has threatened to tariff Cuba’s trade partners and has blockaded the island from receiving oil imports, which has sparked a deepening energy crisis in the country.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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By contrast Zoox, acquired by Amazon in 2020, has been more cautious and careful to deploy a service on public streets.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
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Venezuelan players and coaches are incredibly cautious commenting publicly on politics of the country – to do so could draw additional attention to themselves.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Perhaps no voice within MAGA has defended the president and the Iran strikes more aggressively than Laura Loomer, the far-right activist who, while having her own history of criticizing the administration, has become the movement's most visible counterweight to the growing dissent.—
Will Steakin,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Following his Oscars victory, the filmmaker defended using the slur in the press room at the awards ceremony.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On October 2, 2025, Gavalas barricaded his home and killed himself.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
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McMillan barricaded himself in his vehicle and eventually pointed his weapon towards officers, prompting officers to open fire, authorities said.—
Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The best way to attain them during this conjunction of Venus and Saturn in your financial zone would be to set careful guardrails around your spending.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
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No amount of sweeping or careful stepping keeps it at bay; shoes quickly collect a film of dust or thick mud.—
Katie Strasberg Rousso,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Magen David Adom’s dispatch unit in Ramla, about 12 miles southeast of Tel Aviv, is more than 100 feet underground, safeguarded by thick walls and a sophisticated respirator system capable of providing clean air in case of conventional and nonconventional attacks.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
4 Mar. 2026
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Surely, most Iranians want the country’s environment to be safeguarded.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guarded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guarded. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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