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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guarded
Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2022
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
Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Taiwan’s western coastline, facing the Chinese mainland, has relatively few beaches or ports where landing is easy, and those areas are relatively well guarded.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guarded
Adjective
You’re very guarded.
—Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2022
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
Verb
The docks and logistics areas, which are managed by the Maltese Federation of Aquaculture Producers, are as tightly guarded as a military zone.
—Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Taiwan’s western coastline, facing the Chinese mainland, has relatively few beaches or ports where landing is easy, and those areas are relatively well guarded.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guarded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarded
Adjective
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But Tai Chin, 75, is wary of needing a goal to sustain him.—
Sophie Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
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These stave churches are adorned with dragons and other Viking motifs, likely in an effort to attract followers who were wary of Christianity.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This threat means than an entire attack force can be protected with a few missiles.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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For creators who haven't yet protected their intellectual property, trademark registration should be a priority for early 2025.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Just a few months prior, Blackbeard and his small pirate flotilla had blockaded Charleston, South Carolina, for close to a week.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Nov. 2024
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Military vehicles and local and state police blockaded the route into the town center.—
Jessica Pishko,
The New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Be cautious when corresponding with unfamiliar accounts.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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To be sure, companies are opting for cautious messaging around AI and its labor implications.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This rivalry continued into Survivor Series 2012, where Punk defended his title in a triple threat match against Ryback and John Cena.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Though Democrats were swept into the minority in the legislative and executive branch, New Democrats defended 85 of 87 seats and brought their membership up to 114.—
Rachel Schilke,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Students and their allies barricaded themselves inside the hall with furniture and padlocks in a major escalation of campus protests.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
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All other streets along the western side of Ocean Drive will be barricaded.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Be careful not to break the stems on flowers like cosmos or coneflowers because a bent stem won't provide water to the bloom.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Aug. 2025
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Be careful to navigate around these components and move slowly when cutting anything with a mix of hard and soft textures, Rade Vukmir, MD, professor of clinical emergency medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine, tells SELF.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The bear was also alert when released and quickly began feeding on a patch of berries nearby.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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All users, not just those of the Google platform, need to be alert to the risk.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guarded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guarded. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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