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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

These secrets and symbols – once jealously guarded – are now readily available to anyone interested in taking up witchcraft, thanks to an explosion of content online. — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 During a trial, the identities of jury members are carefully guarded to prevent any outside influence, harassment or tampering. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guarded

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarded

Adjective

Democrats’ wary optimism about the midterms gave way to growing confidence this week.

— Dan Merica, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2026
However, immigrant rights advocates are skeptical about this claim and wary about the lack of oversight of ICE agents.

— J. Toby Reiner, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of wary

Verb

Both of those pitches have better protected his four-seam fastball, a pitch Nola has commanded much better.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Spacecraft are typically protected from debris impacts by some form of a Whipple shield, which has a thin outer bumper with a space between the bumper and the wall of the spacecraft.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of protected

Verb

During what became known as the Timber Wars of the late 1980s and 1990s, activists occupied giant redwoods, chained themselves to logging equipment and blockaded roads across California, Oregon and Washington.

— Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
France About 50 fishermen blockaded a major fuel depot in the coastal southern French town of Fos-sur-Mer on Tuesday, in part to protest rising fuel prices, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of blockaded

Verb

Kid Cudi defended his decision to perform with his longtime friend and controversial musician, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), after some fans and critics expressed disappointment.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Bass defended her proposal to cut the climate office amid the budget crunch, which the City Council rejected.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of defended

Verb

The airport had been barricaded, and the NTSB investigators had to show badges to police officers with long guns to pass through.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
The shooting prompted a major law enforcement response on nearby Highway 50, where a vehicle was stopped and a person was reportedly barricaded inside, officials said.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of barricaded

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