unguarded

1 free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions the swimming coach quickly regretted his unguarded comments about the young swimmer's limitations Synonyms candid, direct, forthcoming, forthright, foursquare, freehearted, free-spoken, honest, open, openhearted, out-front, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, frank, unreserved, up-frontRelated Words artless, earnest, guileless, ingenuous, innocent, naive (or naïve), natural, real, sincere, unaffected, undesigning, unpretending, unpretentious; outgoing, uninhibited, unrestrained; vocal, vociferous; abrupt, bluff, blunt, brusque (also brusk), crusty, curt, gruff, sharp; impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, tactless, thoughtless, uncivil, undiplomatic, ungracious, unmannerly, unsubtleNear Antonyms inhibited, reserved, restrained; close-mouthed, laconic, quiet, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative; ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, evasive; diplomatic, politic, tactful; civil, considerate, courteous, politeAntonyms dissembling, uncandid, unforthcoming

2 lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack an unguarded gate that would later prove to be the fatal weakness in the city's defenses Synonyms defenseless, exposed, susceptible, undefended, helpless, unprotected, unresistant, vulnerableRelated Words indefensible, untenable; uncovered, unsafe; overcome, preyed (on or upon); disarmed, passive, resistless, unarmed; feeble, frail, weak; abandoned, high and dry, maroonedNear Antonyms defensible; covered, fortified, safe, screened, secure, sheltered; armed, armored; immune, impenetrable, impregnable, invincible, strong, unassailable, unbeatable, unconquerable; almighty, omnipotentAntonyms guarded, invulnerable, protected, resistant, shielded

3 not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble in an unguarded moment I let my mind wander and smashed my car into a tree Synonyms heedless, incautious, mindless, careless, unsafe, unwaryRelated Words bold, impetuous, rash, reckless; inattentive, regardless; blithe, inconsiderate, thoughtless; absentminded, forgetful, unmindful; lax, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod; imprudent, indiscreet, injudicious; inadvertent, unintentional, unplannedNear Antonyms attentive, chary, observant, vigilant, watchful; foresighted, forethoughtful, provident; calculating, scheming, shrewd; considerate, thoughtful; ultracareful, ultracautiousAntonyms alert, cautious, circumspect, gingerly, guarded, heedful, safe, wary